Physics in High School and Two-year Colleges

These reports document the curriculum range and student enrollment trends in physics at the high school and two-year college level, as well as the personal characteristics and academic backgrounds of physics teachers at these levels. They also examine teachers' experiences, instructional practices, available resources and the impact of recent science education reforms on physics programs.


focus on High School Physics Courses & Enrollments (August 2010)
This report examines student enrollments in high school physics during the 2008-09 academic year. We estimate that 1.35 million students took physics in U.S. high schools that year. The growth in enrollment comes from more students taking conceptual physics, Physics First, honors physics, AP physics, and second-year physics courses. We also see an increase in the physics-taking rate from 20% in 1987 to 37% for the 2008-09 year.


focus on High School Physics Availability (April 2010)
In the first report from the 2008-09 Nationwide Survey of High School Physics Teachers, we examine the availability of physics in high schools in each U.S. state. We consider factors that affect availability, including the size of the high school and whether the school is public or private. This report includes maps that highlight states in which physics is more readily available and those in which it is less accessible. Future reports will examine the number of students taking physics in U.S. high schools, the types of physics being taught, and teacher and student demographics.


Reaching the Critical Mass: Highlights from the 2005 Nationwide Survey of High School Physics Teachers
We present findings from the latest AIP Survey of High School Physics Teachers.
Highlights (HTML) | Highlights | Full report


Physics for All? A Million and Counting!
Fully one-third of recent high-school graduates have taken physics. Much of the increase comes from nontraditional courses geared toward students not headed for careers in science or technology.
Article | Physics Today homepage

Copyright 2006 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.

Most Widely Used High School Physics Textbooks
This list was compiled from Reaching the Critical Mass: The Twenty Year Surge in High School Physics which reports findings from the 2005 Natiowide Survey of High School Physics Teachers.
Textbooks


State High School Science Requirements and Physics Enrollments
A look at the impact of increased science requirements by states on physics enrollments, twenty years after the publication of A Nation at Risk raised awareness of the inadequate preparation of high school graduates in science and math.
Highlights (HTML)


High School Teacher Certification
List of contacts for high school teacher certification information by state.
Certification Contacts


Broadening the Base: High School Physics Education at the Turn of a New Century
Findings of a 2001 nationwide survey of secondary school physics teachers. Statistical data on faculty, students, courses and textbooks.
Full report


Physics in the Two-Year Colleges: 2001-02
Findings from the 2001-02 Survey of Two-Year College Physics Programs. An updated look at program size; faculty background and current appointment; faculty turnover, including retirements and new hiring; and physics course offerings.
Highlights (HTML) | Highlights | Full report


Background and Professional Qualifications of High School Physics Teachers
This article, reprinted from the February 2000 issue of The Physics Teacher (V 38:2, 98-104) with the permission of The American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), discusses the academic preparation and current specialization of physics teachers at public and private high schools across the nation.
Article


TIMSS-R Science and Math Achievement Results
The study which was conducted in 1999 tested students in 38 nations on their knowledge of science and math concepts. This study allows for a comparison of differing levels of achievement internationally and allows for comparisons with the International Mathematics and Science Study conducted four years earlier. In 1995, the study included students in the 4th, 8th and 12th grades, while this round covers only 8th graders. In addition to student testing, teachers and schools were surveyed about teaching practices, training and school policies.
Highlights (HTML)


Additional websites of Interest

National Science Teachers Association

AAPT: American Association of Physics Teachers

AAPT Teaching Resources

ComPADRE: Physics and Astronomy Education Communities

ThePhysicsFront: Teaching Resources

50 States' Certification Requirements