Classroom AIDS

The question of children with AIDS in the classroom is an explosive one which has set off debates in communities around the country. Classroom AIDS focuses on one such case. Craig, a kindergartner in a rural community, was diagnosed as HIV seropositive in December of 1986. Interviews with local parents and administrators trace the widely varying responses to the news of Craig's condition. At public meetings, many parents were not only opposed to Craig's remaining in school, they were downright virulent in their opposition--a virulence born of fear and superstition. Other parents took the opportunity to educate themselves. In addition to the interviews, the video follows Craig through a regular school day in 2nd grade, where he is in a reduced class of 17 students. Though Craig's story is a positive one, in the sense that he is able to continue his public education, his is not an isolated case, nor is the outcome always the same. A thought-provoking documentary, Classroom AIDS is recommended for school libraries, as well as public libraries who can afford it. (See BOYS WILL BE... for availability.)