While states have developed the infrastructure to support effective education programs on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), inadequacies exist in the content of curricula, guidelines, and program design. Many state programs fail to provide children with all the information they need in order to avoid and reduce the risk of becoming infected with HIV. A two-part study was conducted by the Sex Information and Education Council (SIECUS) to review state legislation, policy, curricula, and guidelines with respect to education programs for elementary and secondary school students. First, a survey of each state's HIV/AIDS education program was taken of HIV/AIDS education specialists regarding program implementation of state law or policy, advisory committee composition, the status of teacher preparation, parental options, evaluation criteria, placement of HIV/AIDS education programs within subject areas, and teacher classroom instruction. Second, the content of 34 state curricula/guidelines was analyzed to evaluate program scope and quality. Recommendations for improving state HIV/AIDS education based upon study findings and input from an advisory panel are provided. Names of the SIECUS HIV/AIDS Education Advisory Panel, how state curricula and guidelines were evaluated, three exemplary curricula and guidelines, and state profiles are included. (LL)