120-1. Board of Educational Affairs
120-1.1 The Board of Educational Affairs shall consist of not fewer than thirteen persons, at least eleven of which shall be Members of the Association, one of which may be an APA Teacher Affiliate member, and one Graduate Student member, four or five to be elected each year for a term of three years. At least one member of BEA shall be an early career psychologist. Each of three seats on BEA shall be filled by nominees from among the constituencies of Science, Practice, and Public Interest, respectively, in a manner that is consistent with APA procedures for the election of standing board members. Nominations for slates will be solicited from the appropriate APA governance groups (BSA, BPA, BAPPI). These positions shall be for staggered three-year terms, with one of these three positions being filled each year. Each year the constituency group whose seat would be vacated shall be requested to provide a pool of at least five nominees for a three-year term. All other seats shall be filled according to Association Rule 110.15 in a manner to represent the Board of Educational Affairs’ commitment to each level of education and training in psychology, from pre-college and undergraduate through postdoctoral. All thirteen members are fully participating, voting members of the Board of Educational Affairs.
120.2 Committee on Education and Training Awards
120-2.1 There shall be a Committee on Education and Training Awards consisting of six members, three to be elected annually for terms of two years. At least one member of the committee shall be an early career psychologist.
The committee shall announce the recipients of the awards after final approval is given by the APA Board of Directors, and it shall report other matters to Council through the Board of Educational Affairs.
120-2.2 The APA may award annually two $1000 awards, one for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training in psychology and a second award for Distinguished Contributions to Applications of Psychology in Education.
The intent of the Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training Award is to recognize psychologists whose contributions enhance the effectiveness of psychology education and/or training in psychology.
The intent of the Distinguished Contribution for Applications of Psychology to Education is to recognize psychologists who contribute to effective teaching methods or the solution of learning problems in educational settings, including PreK-12 schools, through the use of research findings or evidence-based practices.
Career designation can be added to either award as determined by the committee.
120-2.3 Ineligible for the awards are members serving currently on the committee, former recipients of the awards, and the current APA President and President elect.
120-2.4 Nominations for these awards shall be solicited in the broadest possible manner, including through announcements in appropriate publications. The committee may also nominate candidates as well as specify which nominees will be carried over to the following year. Additionally, the Committee shall systematically review promising nominations from previous years. Deadlines for receipt of nominations shall be established by the committee each year.
120-2.5 Award recipients shall be invited to the annual convention to receive the awards and to address annual convention attendees in the year following the committee’s decision.
120.3 Commission on Accreditation
120-3.1 There shall be a Commission on Accreditation that shall evaluate doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral residency programs in professional psychology in accordance with approved accreditation guidelines and procedures. The commission shall consist of not less than thirty-two members, appointed by the Board of Educational Affairs. The structure of the commission, appointment and terms of its members, its functions, authority, and reporting relationship shall conform to the "Policies for Accreditation Governance" adopted by the Council of Representatives.
120-4. Continuing Education Committee
120-4.1 There shall be a Continuing Education Committee consisting of not fewer than sixteen members appointed by the Board of Educational Affairs for staggered terms of three years. At least one member of the Committee shall be an early career psychologist. The Committee shall report to Council through the Board of Educational Affairs.
120-4.2 The Continuing Education Committee shall have responsibility for developing policy and program recommendations for the Association's continuing education program and for working collaboratively with the APA Office of Continuing Education to implement these policy and program recommendations. The Committee's tasks shall include, but not be limited to (a) developing and delivering continuing education programs and products; (b) providing educational and technical assistance to APA Directorates, Divisions, State/Provincial/Territorial Psychological Associations, and other sponsors; (c) collaborating with organizations that seek to become approved sponsors of continuing education; (d) providing review of all APA approved sponsors and organizations seeking APA sponsor approval; (e) periodically reviewing the Association's sponsor approval guidelines, and (f) identifying, promoting, implementing and evaluating research, development and innovations in continuing education.
120-4.3 The Chair of the Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) shall each year forward to APA's divisions and affiliated state, provincial and territorial psychological associations a general call for nominees to serve on the Committee and shall also direct a formal request for nominee recommendations to the Board of Scientific Affairs, Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, and the Board of Professional Affairs. In making its appointments, BEA shall attempt to insure that the membership of the Committee shall represent APA's commitment to honor diversity and as well to ensure the representation of the needs of various groups served by continuing education.
120-5. Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools
120-5.1 There shall be an American Psychological Association of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) Committee whose mission shall be to (a) promote the highest standards in the teaching of Psychology both as a science and discipline; (b) promote professional development and other means for lifelong learning for high school teachers of psychology; (c) increase professional identity and promote leadership for high school teachers of psychology; (d) facilitate networking, including the formation of both horizontal and vertical linkages, among teachers from all teaching levels of psychology; (e) encourage recruitment and retention of students, particularly minorities, in the field of psychology; (f) enhance the visibility and legitimacy of high school psychology within the American Psychological Association; (g) enhance the visibility and legitimacy of high school psychology with other members of the psychological community, (h) recommend the appropriate response advocacy, education policy, and certification issues that impact on the quality or viability of teaching of high school psychology.
The voting members of the TOPSS Committee shall consist of seven members, who serve staggered three-year terms. The other members of the TOPSS Committee, who shall serve ex-officio without a vote, shall be composed of two college faculty advisors who serve three-year terms and one liaison from the BEA. All voting members of the Committee must be high school teacher affiliates of the association.
Each year, a call for nominations for the open positions that will become vacant in the following year shall be broadly disseminated. Following the call, the committee shall prepare a slate of candidates for each position and hold an election in which all TOPSS affiliates are eligible to vote. Following the election, the results of the election shall be forwarded to the Board of Educational Affairs and the Board of Directors for final approval.
The TOPSS Committee shall report to Council through the APA Board of Educational Affairs.
120-6. Committee on Associate and Baccalaureate Education
120-6.1 There shall be an American Psychological Association Committee on Associate and Baccalaureate Education whose mission shall be to (a) represent psychology faculty and students at undergraduate institutions; (b) promote within all undergraduate institutions the highest professional standards for teaching of psychology as a scientific discipline with applications to a wide range of human concerns; (c) promote within all institutions the highest standards in the teaching of psychology for undergraduate students; (d) develop leadership qualities among undergraduate psychology faculty and students and increase their participation and representation in psychology organizations; (e) establish and maintain communication with all groups involved in the teaching of psychology and with the greater psychological community; and (f) encourage scholarship on teaching and learning at all undergraduate institutions for the purpose of giving students the best possible educational opportunities.