Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge regarding AIDS among Northern California School Board Members and District Superintendents. The study further analyzed the following variables to determine their cognitive impact on AIDS knowledge of board members: (1) district size, (2) geographical location of districts, (3) gender of board, educational level, (4) number of years served, and (5) AIDS conferences attended. Procedure. Superintendents and board members from fifty-six school districts in Northern California were asked to respond to a thirty-item AIDS questionnaire in November 1988. Principal findings. The principal findings of this study revealed school board members' mean percent correct was 75 percent, while superintendents' mean percent score was 78 percent. Furthermore, the variables of gender, geographical location of districts, and AIDS conferences attended do not statistically (.05 level) improve AIDS knowledge, while the variable of educational level of board members is statistically significant (P $<$ 0.05). Superintendents and board members have an excellent understanding of how the virus is transmitted; however, neither group has a clear understanding of the quantitative values involved with the disease. It was determined that district size and number of years served on the board of education and AIDS knowledge do not have a significant relationship. One of the most significant, non-statistical findings was the positive support from responding board members and superintendents to the emotional issue of AIDS. Conclusions and recommendations. The study produced several recommendations; among these, (1) in order to share AIDS information and policy planning ideas, school districts in this study who have not formed AIDS educational consortia should do so, (2) board members and superintendents must not be intimidated by minority groups who are resisting the teaching of AIDS to school officials, employees and students, and (3) school districts should provide updated AIDS information, especially quantitative statistics, for superintendents and school board members.