Monitor on Psychology - January 2012 - (Page 65)

P sychology continues to be a popular high school class. However, differences in teacher training and psychology’s status as an elective means there is great variability in the way it is taught across different schools. While many teachers promote robust psychological science in their classes, others — especially those with less training in psychology — may not have the background or expertise to do so. As a result, students’ first and often only exposure to psychology may be misleading or inaccurate. Preventing such variations in quality is the goal of APA’s National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula, a document designed to give educational leaders, teachers, policymakers and others benchmarks for determining what students should learn in a high school psychology class. In August, APA’s Council of Representatives approved revisions to the standards for the second time since 1999. “It’s important that high school students get a consistent message about what psychology is: a scientific discipline that promotes evidence-based decision-making about psychological issues, including mental health,” says Amy C. Fineburg, PhD, assistant principal of Oak Mountain High School in Shelby County, Ala., who chaired the group that revised the standards. “We need to make sure that students are all on the same page and obtaining the psychological literacy they need to be informed citizens.” For high school psychology teachers, the release of a new revision is exciting, says psychology teacher Jeanne A. Blakeslee, chair of the APA committee Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools and an administrator at St. Paul’s School for Girls in Brooklandville, Md. “Having standards elevates expectations in teaching psychology,” she says. “The really important thing for 65 J a n u a ry 2 0 1 2 • M o n i t o r o n p s y c h o l o g y photos.com http://www.Photos.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Monitor on Psychology - January 2012

Monitor on Psychology - January 2012
Letters
President’s Column
Contents
Contents
From the CEO
Apa’s Statement on the Dsm-5 Development Process
Girl Scouts Badge Promotes Positive Psychology
Early Investments Pay Off for Poor Children, Study Finds
Apa Meets With Chinese Psychological Society to Further Interaction and Exchange
Unique Opportunity for Psychologists to Travel to Cuba
In Brief
Government Relations Update
On Your Behalf
Psychology’s Growing Library of Podcasts
Standing Up for Psychology
Judicial Notebook
Random Sample
Time Capsule
Questionnaire
Science Watch
Beyond Psychotherapy
Perspective on Practice
Yes, Recovery Is Possible
Inequity to Equity
Making E-Learning Work
New Standards for High School Psychology
A Trailblazer Moves On
Psychologist Profile
Plan Now for Psychology’s Regional Meetings
New Journal Editors
Apa News
Division Spotlight
American Psychological Foundation
Personalities

Monitor on Psychology - January 2012