The 2012 National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education was designed to provide up-to-date information and to identify trends in the areas of teacher background and experience, curriculum and instruction, and the availability and use of instructional resources. This compendium, one of a series, details the results of a survey of high school…

This report traces the growth of high school physics in American school over the past twenty years. Highlights of the report include: (1) Enrollments in high school physics continue to grow; (2) Increase in number and proportion of physics teachers; (3) Number of students taking honors, advance placement or second-year physics course has nearly…

The status and future direction of high school physics instruction is considered in this report. The text is supported by many tables and illustrations and is organized into six chapters. Chapters discuss physics enrollments and curriculum; demographics of the physics teacher population; current teaching conditions, resources, and activities; high…

Information on the influence of employment mobility and career change on the flexibility of the physics labor force is provided, noting the past several decades have brought a dramatic roller coaster of changes to the physics community. Five sections are as follows: membership composition (demographics, professional self-identification, and…

This project focused on encouraging instructors at large universities to take advantage of the curricular materials and computer tools developed for two related programs funded originally by FIPSE. In particular, it involved reworking and integrating materials developed for the previously funded Workshop Physics and Tools for Scientific Thinking…