How to Join PTEC (the Coalition)

Introduction

Your department is invited to join the Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PTEC), an association of institutions of higher education dedicated to the improvement of physics and physical science teacher education. This effort, sponsored by the American Physical Society (APS), American Institute of Physics (AIP), and American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), covers a broad spectrum of education research-based reforms and initiatives. We understand that the future of both an educated, scientifically literate population and of physics as a discipline is dependent on high quality teachers. Our hope is that through the Coalition, members can share innovative approaches, learn from national leaders in the field, and help raise the level of understanding of the importance of improving physics and physical science teacher preparation nationwide. Please consider joining even if your department is just beginning to enhance its work in teacher preparation — in an important sense, the Coalition has the most to offer members who are beginning change, since their planning can be much more effective through collaboration with other Coalition members.

Coalition membership has a number of benefits, including limited financial support for attending both our national conference on physics and physical science teacher education and regional and topical workshops.

In 1999, seven AIP member societies, including those sponsoring this effort, endorsed a statement on the education of future teachers. You can view this statement, along with the list of physics departments who have endorsed this statement at http://www.aps.org/programs/education/future-teachers.cfm.

If you wish to join and your department has not already signed the joint statement you just need to have your department chair endorse it in an email to Gabe Popkin at popkin@aps.org. Also your department chair needs to send a short statement of support for joining PTEC to Monica Plisch at plisch@aps.org. Then fill out the PTEC Coalition Membership Application Form below and either submit it via your browser, or return it by email, fax, or letter to:

Monica Plisch

Assistant Director of Education
American Physical Society
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3843
Email: plisch@aps.org
Tel: 301-209-3273

PTEC Coalition Membership Application Form