2022 AAPT Strategic Plan

Vision Statement

A future where the understanding of physics, driven by a vibrant, diverse, and empowered community of educators, researchers, and learners, increasingly benefits the world.

Mission Statement

To advance physics teaching and learning by serving as the trusted hub for valued resources and programs, facilitating strong professional networks, and supporting members to advocate for physics education.

Strategic Goal Areas, Statements of Desired Goal Achievement, Indicators of Success, and Strategies (listed in random order)

Strategic Goal Area 1: Build and support opportunities for Professional Growth and Development.

Statement of Desired Goal Achievement

  1. AAPT provides professional development programs for Physics Educators at all levels of education and all career levels.
  2. AAPT supports and sustains inclusive policies and structures that promote skills development for instruction, leadership, and advocacy.

Indicators of success

  • AAPT provides meaningful professional development programs in regional and national settings for physics instructors at all educational and experience levels.
  • AAPT leverages current and emerging platforms and pathways to connect diverse partners and provide professional development using varying models.

Strategies

  • Research stakeholder needs for professional development: clearly identify stakeholder groups, prioritize needs.
  • Provide relevant, timely, and accessible opportunities for professional development in partnership with stakeholders.
  • Research and develop evidence-based, effective, and accessible methods for promoting professional development programming and materials to educators at all levels.

Strategic Goal Area 2: Develop, curate, and disseminate resources that foster curiosity, excitement, understanding, and enjoyment of the physical world.

Statement of Desired Goal Achievement

  1. AAPT develops and curates a collection of high-quality, well-organized resources that are easily located and available to physics educators teaching at all levels to support the learning of physics.
  2. AAPT increases the visibility and use of AAPT resources and publications for the benefit of educators and learners.

Indicators of success

  • AAPT is recognized as the premier resource for physics educators.
  • Increased traffic on and interaction with the ComPADRE collection, AJP, TPT, and other key resources.
  • Enhanced interaction and content submission pathways for members and non-members.
  • Increased use of resources, with indication of improved access and usability.

Strategies

  • Catalyzing the expertise and experience of AAPT members to develop and organize digital lesson plans, reviews, and active learning exercises for essential physics concepts strongly rooted in physics education research and practical classroom experiences that promote cultural relevancy and advance representation;
  • Explore opportunities to support existing resources, develop new resources, and new resource areas;
  • Integrate and brand ComPADRE into AAPT with a modern and streamlined user experience.

Strategic Goal Area 3: Build Community, Connections, and Engagement.

Statement of Desired Goal Achievement

  1. AAPT broadens engagement among diverse physics educators to foster an organized exchange of ideas through a variety of channels.
  2. AAPT provides structures that support and encourage meaningful professional networks and interactions at the regional and national level.

Indicators of success

  • The number and diversity of physics educators who engage online or in person with AAPT consistently increases.
  • The membership of AAPT grows and reflects increased diversity at all levels of professional affiliation.
  • The number and diversity of members in leadership positions consistently increases.
  • AAPT has strengthened communications channels and increased engagement with AAPT Section members and Section leadership.

Strategies

  • Leverage the COMMUNITIES platform to:
    o Increase access to our face-to-face events and make in-person attendance more vibrant and engaging
    o Serve as a space for Sections and committees to engage and share ideas
    o Enhance the visibility of affiliate groups
  • Identify and leverage current initiatives related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives (e.g. TEAM UP, SEA Change, STEP UP) and increase equity and access for historically marginalized groups to AAPT resources, programs, and experiences.
  • Develop mechanisms for broadening member engagement to include a wider cross-section of members, sections, and area committees.

Strategic Goal Area 4: Develop and support broadened participation in AAPT leadership at all levels.

Statement of Desired Goal Achievement

  1. AAPT governance processes invite, encourage, and support a diverse array of individuals to become leaders at all levels.
  2. AAPT provides training and supports programs that strengthen AAPT leadership through the inclusion of individuals who reflect broad interests and diversity.
  3. AAPT provides a strong, visible system of recognition for service and leadership to AAPT at all levels.

Indicators of success

  • Leadership training for members is a consistent component of community gatherings (online or in person).
  • There is an increase in participation in AAPT leadership and governance structures, and growth in diversity of leaders in all areas of AAPT.
  • AAPT has an established culture of value, recognition, and gratitude for member contributions at all levels

Strategies

  • Develop equitable training and professional development pathways that broaden participation in leadership opportunities, committees, programs, task forces, and the AAPT Board.
  • Modernize governance structures and processes to better reflect equity-driven processes and cultivate a culture of inclusion, with flexibility to be responsive to changing needs
  • Develop mechanisms for communicating clearly, and in multiple channels, opportunities and pathways for participation in leadership and governance, including clearly stating the responsibilities of various leadership roles
  • Develop a system of acknowledgement to recognize volunteer contribution to the AAPT mission

Strategic Goal Area 5: Develop and support a culture that promotes and authentically demonstrates diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects the association.

Statement of Desired Goal Achievement

  1. More accessible and inclusive AAPT meetings and events
  2. Increased DEI education, professional development, and skill-building opportunities for members.

Indicators of success

Once baseline data has been established, indicators of success include the following:

  • Increase the percentage of meeting attendees including repeat registration from groups that have been historically excluded.
  • Increase the percentage of members who experience a sense of belonging and inclusion at AAPT meetings.
  • Increase the number of BIPOC speakers and presenters at national meetings.
  • Increase the number of financial support applications from members of historically excluded groups.
  • Increase the percentage of DEI-related sessions, workshops, etc, at national meetings.
  • Increase the number of members attending DEI-related sessions, workshops, etc, at national meetings.
  • Increase the percentage of downloads of online DEI resources and website traffic on DEI resource webpages.
  • Increase the percentage of funding to support the design of DEI resources.
  • Increase the percentage of virtual AAPT networking events and the positive feedback around them.

Strategies

  • Create more equitable and inclusive AAPT meetings that center members from groups that have been historically excluded.
  • Increase meeting financial resources, low-cost options, and funding for AAPT members from groups that have been historically excluded.
  • Increase DEI education and learning opportunities at annual meetings.
  • Identify, adapt, and disseminate resources to help educators champion DEI in a troubled and charged political climate.
  • Fund educators or instructional designers that create DEI curriculum or who design resources that help physics educators be more equitable in their teaching.
  • Organize networking opportunities that connect local AAPT members with common interests.

Approved by the AAPT Board of Directors, November 5, 2022

2022 Strategic Plan (PDF)

AAPT's DEI Strategy