Enforcing the Right to a Public Education for Children Afflicted With AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

• NCJ Number: 109433
• Journal: Emory Law Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1987) Pages: 603-648
• Author(s): L N Brockman
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 46 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Allowing children with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to attend public school, with certain precautions based on present medical knowledge, is both logical and simple in its application.

Abstract

Three courses of action are possible: (1) exclusion based on the theory that AIDS is a communicable disease, (2) inclusion based on the theory that AIDS is a handicap, or (3) inclusion based on present medical knowledge about the disease. Following either of the first two theories presents problems of application and practicability. In addition, research has shown that AIDS is not transmitted through casual contact. Informing parents of this research would help alleviate the fear of AIDS. Once the fear has declined, the protests and lawsuits from parents who do not want their children exposed to classmates with AIDS will end. 250 footnotes. (Author summary modified)