Pre-K to 12 Education

Psychological science helps strengthen education by translating research into evidence-based practices that support learning, well-being, and overall success for all students

Teaching topics

Classroom Management

Resources for teachers on managing classroom behavior, bullying, resilience, and talking to children and teenagers.

Creativity in the Classroom

Watch interviews with renowned scholars to see practice-based strategies to help you employ creativity every day and enhance academic outcomes.

Curricular Materials

Whether you’re a math, science, social studies, or English teacher, these resources can help you apply research on teaching and learning; find exciting lessons and activities; stimulate interest; and increase achievement.

Gifted and Talented Education

Enhance the achievement and performance of children and adolescents with special gifts and talents in all domains, including the academic disciplines, the performing arts, sports, and other professions.

Math and Science Education

Psychological research sheds light on how brains process math and science, achievement gaps, and how students learn, but psychology itself is also a scientific discipline.

Science Fairs, Clubs, and Student Research

Participating in a school psychology club or creating experiments for a science fair can nurture an interest in psychological science and cultivate an understanding of behavior’s role in health, policy, and more.

Student Learning

How students learn and how they apply what they learn are goals every teacher should implement in their classrooms. One of the first steps toward that goal is understanding what the student already knows and using that knowledge to structure their development.

Safe and supportive schools

The Safe and Supportive Schools Project promotes safe and supportive environments to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, teen pregnancy and related risk behaviors among adolescents.

Tools and resources

Toolkits, standards, and guidance to make an impact in your classroom

Diverse group of children bursting through the school doors to leave for the day.

Applying psychological science in pre-K to 12 schools and education

Understanding how children learn, what motivates their engagement, and how to foster their well-being

Top 20 Principles for Teaching and Learning

A comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing the principles of psychological science in educational setting

Early Learning Guidelines (ELG) Educator Toolkit

The ELG Toolkit addresses the preschool age group using the domains from the Head Start Framework.

Mental Health Primers

Learn to identify behaviors in the classroom that are symptomatic of mental health and other psychological issues.

Applications of Psychological Science to Teaching and Learning

These 10 modules show how psychological and educational sciences can be applied to practical instructional problems and needs.

Motivation Myth Busters Series

Common myths about motivation and suggestions for increasing motivation using scientifically supported research.

Guidelines for Behavioral Projects with Nonhuman Animals in Schools opens in new window

With the decision to use live animals for teaching and research purposes comes a responsibility to care humanely for them and to minimize pain or discomfort whenever possible.

Applying the Science of Persuasion to Education

When the use of persuasion becomes questionable in the classroom and when persuasion can be empowering.

Diverse and inclusive schools

Top 20 Principles for Students with Disabilities

An adaptation of the Top 20 Principles tailored to educators working with students with disabilities

Top 20 Principles for Creative, Talented, and Gifted Students

Learn how psychological science can enhance education for gifted, talented, and creative students

Civil Discourse Project

Resource designed to address concerns about the state of discourse in the United States and equip students and educators with the skills necessary to foster civil dialogue

How Can Schools Assess and Address Educational Disparities?

A guide for school teams to understand the factors that can widen or reduce disparities in opportunity, experience, and outcomes for students

Considering Diversity: A Self-Reflection Tool for Psychology Teachers

This resource aims to boost interpersonal and cultural sensitivity in both students and teachers.

Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth

Information and resources for principals, educators, and school personnel who confront sensitive issues involving gay, lesbian and bisexual students

High school

High school psychology unit lesson plans

Free lesson plans include a procedural timeline, content outline, suggested resources, and activities and references

Resource manual for new teachers of high school psychology

Guidance on preparing to teach psychology, textbook selection, course-pacing formats, and lesson planning

Assessment Guide for Psychology Teachers opens in new window

With the decision to use live animals for teaching and research purposes comes a responsibility to care humanely for them and to minimize pain or discomfort whenever possible.

Myths & Misconceptions

Psychological knowledge is based on scientific investigation of concepts, theories, principles and models.

Online Psychology Laboratory

Interactive resources to help students understand the science of psychology.

Female teacher engaging with student who has raised her hand.

APA Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS)

TOPSS serves as the voice of high school psychology teachers within the APA, promoting excellence in the teaching of psychological science at the high school level

TOPSS resources for teachers

National Standards Resources

National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

Establishes learning objectives for high school psychology students, provides guidance for teaching based on active learning principles, and offers recommendations for student assessment

Resources to Broaden Diversity, Representation in High School Psychology Curricula

Research summaries, psychologist profiles, guiding questions, and other resources aligned with APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

Advocacy Toolkit for the National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

Promotes the broad dissemination and implementation of APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula

National Standards Teacher Resources

Additional resources designed to accompany APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula