In Southfield, school officials are reviewing the district's sex education curriculum to make sure it meets the state's requirements. Michigan law requires that districts provide HIV/AIDS education to students at the elementary, middle- and high-school levels, said Wanda Cook-Robinson, the district's associate superintendent for instruction.

The Southfield Board of Education is still finalizing the curriculum, which is expected to be implemented this school year. According to Laurie Bechhofer, an HIV/STD education consultant for the Michigan Department of Education, the principal changes the state is calling for are more emphasis on abstinence and more input from parents.

At a public hearing on Sept. 19, 13 parents and grandparents of district students reviewed the materials and responded to them. Students at all levels would be taught the basics about how HIV is spread and told they should not fear persons who are HIV-positive. Middle-school students would learn more about transmission and how to avoid risky situations. High-school students would receive more explicit information, including HIV/AIDS symptoms and how to use a condom. Abstinence would be emphasized at every level. Parents could opt their children out of the instruction, Cook-Robinson said.

Another public hearing will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at the John W. English Administrative Building, 24661 Lahser Rd., Southfield.

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