The APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS) was awarded a Presidential Citation for their steadfast commitment to promoting high quality teaching of introductory psychology and for advancing APA’s strategic goal of promoting psychology as a science.
Their work is crucial to the association, the discipline of psychology and the general public as high school psychology is often students’ first exposure to the discipline. By advocating the “National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula;” promulgating revised unit lesson plans; advancing issues related to teacher credentialing; and providing professional development opportunities for psychology teachers, TOPSS has raised APA’s reputation as the organizational home for high school psychology teachers. The committee also brings to the association’s attention the most salient issues in the teaching of psychology and K-12 education. In 2016, TOPSS will play an integral role in APA hosting the first ever national summit on high school psychology. APA recognizes their unwavering commitment to the teaching of high school psychology.