Teaching Our Teachers to Teach: A SIECUS Study on Training and Preparation for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Sexuality Education

Abstract:
This study reveals that the nation's elementary and secondary school teachers are not adequately prepared at the pre-service level to provide HIV/AIDS prevention and sexuality education to students. Key findings of this sample survey of 169 colleges and universities that provide undergraduate training of teachers include: only 14% of the colleges and universities require a health education course for all pre-service teachers; no schools require a sexuality education course for all pre-service teachers; only 61% of the institutions require students in health education certification programs to take sexuality courses; and no schools require students in health education certification programs to take a course covering HIV/AIDS. The study notes that children must have access to comprehensive health education, including HIV/AIDS prevention and comprehensive sexuality education, and that future generations of teachers must acquire the knowledge and skills to empower children to make healthy decisions.

Author(s): RODRIGUEZ, Monica; YOUNG, Rebecca, M.A.; RENFRO, Stacie; ASENCIO, Marysol, Dr. Ph.; and HAFFNER, Debra W.

Publication: SIECUS Report


Date Published: 12/1/1995

Pages: 9

Location Code: 8185