Status of Pre-college Psychology in the State of Florida during 1970-71 and 1972-73. A Comparative Report. Research Monograph Number 8.

The results of a 1972-73 survey of Florida secondary schools concerned with the teaching of psychology are reported and compared to a similar survey made in 1970-1971. The survey of 1973, a four-page questionnaire, was mailed to 409 schools and gathered 218 responses. A description of the results analyzes and compares data collected in the following areas: which schools taught separate psychology courses, number of students enrolled, school and class characteristics, length of courses, popularity of psychology, student demand, certification and preparation of teachers, type of approach used, course objectives, what topics are included and what topics should be included, and needs for new materials and materials now in use. Three concluding suggestions are that psychology as an instructional discipline for high school requires further definition, that more consideration should be given to the clientele, and that teacher qualifications and certification requirements need description. A brief review of the literature concludes with 19 characteristics of the status of pre-college psychology. A list of periodicals and journals and an appendix with data in tabular form are followed by references. The 1970-71 survey is ED 073 026. (KSM)