The Health Education Projects Office (HEPO) at the University of Arkansas is pleased to invite schools to participate in a proposed research project to be funded by the National Institutes of Health. The purpose of this project is to test the effectiveness of educational interventions designed to reduce the occurrence of HIV/AIDS risk-related behaviors among young people.
The project will involve abstinence education programs, "Sex Can Wait" and "Pick and Choose Activities" implemented at grades six, seven and eight at a number of "experimental" schools. HEPO will provide schools the training and materials needed to implement the curriculum, survey students, pay teacher stipends, and provide opportunities for teachers to earn graduate credit. Schools will receive a financial incentive (approximately $2/student) each time a student is surveyed. In addition, a parent education component will be developed and implemented.
Schools will agree to: (1) participate in the teacher training, (2) commit to the project for a three-year period, (3) maintain fidelity to the program in teaching, and (4) provide assistance in evaluation over the project's three-year period (providing student rosters, allowing time for surveying students, assisting in securing parental permission and tracking students beyond grade eight).
If you would like to sign up or would like more information, call Mike Young at (501) 575-5639, or e-mail at: meyoung@comp.uark.edu.