About Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS)

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

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).

The following curricular resources and opportunities for professional support and recognition are supported by TOPSS and the APA Education Directorate.

Curriculum Resources

• Unit Lesson Plans ( example (PDF, 712KB)opens in new window )

• Online Psychology Laboratory (OPL)opens in new window

• APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

Professional Support

• Psychology Teacher Network newsletter

• APA Monitor on Psychology magazine

• American Psychologist journal

• Resource Manual for New Teachers of High School Psychology

• Videos for psychology teachers

• Science Fair Support

• Posters for the Classroom

Professional Development Opportunities

• APA/Clark University Workshop for High School Teachers
• APA Convention Programming

Recognition for Teachers and Students

• APA TOPSS Charles T. Blair-Broeker Excellence in Teaching Awards

• APA TOPSS Competition for High School Psychology Students

• Academic 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!