This program has provided support for many of the innovations that are increasingly prevalent in physics classrooms and laboratories across the country.

In the context of NSF's regular evaluations of many of its science education programs, including concerns about diminished funding for physics-related activities, at its April 2004 meeting, the AAPT Executive Board approved a resolution supporting CCLI.

Following is the text of a letter sent to Judith Ramaley, who serves as assistant director of the NSF directorate for education and human resources.

April 29, 2004

Dr. Judith A. Ramaley
Assistant Director, Education and Human Resources Directorate
The National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22230

Dear Dr. Ramaley:
In a resolution adopted on April 25, 2004, the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers expressed its appreciation for NSF's valuable contributions to physics teaching through its CCLI program. The Board recognizes that this program has been of exceptional benefit in fostering efforts and increasing the knowledge base needed to upgrade undergraduate physics instruction around the country. Many presentations at AAPT meetings and papers published in AAPT journals acknowledge CCLI as an essential source of funds and ideas. The large number of these acknowledgments is compelling evidence for the effectiveness and importance of the CCLI program.

The AAPT Board noted that most change is local and commends those aspects of CCLI that have enabled physics faculty to initiate changes in their own departments and courses in addition to supporting larger national efforts. As the NSF considers changes in CCLI, we strongly urge that the aspects of the program that facilitate local initiative and imaginative laboratory work be continued and strengthened.

Sincerely yours,
Bernard V. Khoury, Executive Officer
James H. Nelson, President

cc: Dr. Rosemary Haggett, DUE Division Director
Dr. Duncan McBride, DUE Program Director
Dr. Theodore Hodapp, DUE Program Director