About Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS)

About TOPSS

The American Psychological Association Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) is the voice of high school psychology teachers within the APA.

TOPSS — through the APA Education Directorate — promotes excellence in the teaching of psychological science at the high school level through the National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula; meets the curricular, professional development and networking needs of high school psychology teachers; provides opportunities for high school psychology teachers and their students to be recognized and rewarded for their excellence; increases the professional identity and leadership opportunities for high school psychology teachers; and enhances the visibility of psychological science as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

All teachers of high school psychology are invited to join TOPSS as affiliate members. There are approximately 2,000 current members of TOPSS (as high school teacher affiliates of APA). View enrollment information on high school psychology, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and regular psychology.

Benefits

The following curricular resources and opportunities for professional support and recognition are supported by TOPSS and the APA Education Directorate, and available to all TOPSS members with annual membership:

Curriculum Resources

• Unit Lesson Plans
  (example (PDF, 443KB))

• PowerPoint Demonstrations

• Online Psychology Laboratory (OPL)

• APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

Professional Support

• Psychology Teacher Network newsletter

• APA Monitor on Psychology magazine

• Science Fair Support

• Mentor Program

• Minority Recruitment Program

• Speakers Bureau

• Professional Development Opportunities

• APA/Clark University Workshop for High School Teachers

• APA Convention Programming

• TOPSS Toolbar

• Posters for the Classroom

Recognition for Teachers and Students

• APA TOPSS Excellence in Teaching Awards

• APA TOPSS Essay/Poster Competition

• Outstanding Achievement in Psychology Awards

Other Benefits of Joining TOPSS

• Special low APA Annual Convention registration rates

• Eligibility for membership in APA divisions

• Discounts off APA books and videos

• High-quality information resources

• Free online access to paid subscriptions' full-text files

• Support for the discipline of psychology

• Representation in Congress, state legislatures and in major social and educational institutions

• Programs that educate the public and the media on the benefits of psychology

• And much more!