Pre-K to 12 Education

Pre-K to 12 Education

APA Services is committed to working with policymakers to ensure that education policies are driven by the latest advances in psychological science, support evidence-based teaching and learning practices, promote the responsible use of educational technology, and promote safe and inclusive environments for all students.

Our focus

  • Applying psychological science to teaching and learning
    Advocate for K–12 education policies that focus on all dynamics of learning, including social and emotional learning, trauma-informed teaching practices, and principles of motivation, resilience, and engagement. APA Services supports teacher preparation programs and professional development opportunities that integrate tenants of psychological science to help ensure that students receive a well-rounded education that incorporates all aspects of learning into academic achievement.
  • Increasing school-based mental health services
    Advocate for efforts to increase the number of diverse, culturally competent psychologists, counselors, and other critical mental health professionals in school-based settings, particularly in under-resourced schools serving high numbers of low-income students and students of color. This includes strengthening Medicaid-funded services in schools and increasing funding for several Department of Education and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) programs, including those under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
  • Promoting equitable, inclusive, safe, and healthy school climates
    Advocate for federal policies that support positive school environments so that students of all backgrounds can receive an equitable, high-quality education. This must be rooted in principles of psychological science with the aim of ending bullying; ensuring that LGBTQ+ students have equal protection under Title IX; restoring and strengthening protections against gender-based harassment and sexual misconduct; and eradicating exclusionary discipline practices.
  • Increasing access to early childhood education
    Advocate for policies that increase access to early childhood education and ensure that it meets the social, emotional, and cognitive development of all students. This includes universal pre-K policies, as well as more federal investment in programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, the Child Care Development Fund, and Preschool Development Grants.

Our efforts on this issue advance the following advocacy priorities:

  • Access to health services, including mental and behavioral health services
  • Application of psychological science to pre-K, K–12, and higher education

What you can do

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Contact us

Kenneth Polishchuk
Deputy Chief, Education and Science Policy

Raegina Likewise
Director of Congressional and Federal Relations 

Email APA Advocacy Office

More on pre-K to 12 education

Factsheets

APA PreK–12 Education Priorities (PDF, 797KB) opens in new window

Psychological science has a great deal to say about how students learn, how educators teach, and how we address the social and emotional needs of all students.

Early Childhood Education Policy Recommendations (PDF, 910KB) opens in new window

Early childhood education benefits individuals, families, and society at large by enhancing children's academic outcomes, health, and social and emotional development.

Mental Health Services in Schools (PDF, 80KB) opens in new window

Comprehensive, multi-tiered mental and behavioral health systems in schools reduce the frequency and severity of mental health disorders among students by supporting prevention, early detection, and early intervention; promoting positive school climates; and bolstering overall mental health and well-being.

Teaching and Learning: A Psychological Perspective (PDF, 700KB) opens in new window

Psychology, both as a science and through practice, is a key component of effective teaching, successful learning, and the safeguarding of students' social and emotional needs.

Standardized Assessment and Testing in PreK-12 Education (PDF, 174KB) opens in new window

Assessment continues to be a central focus for policymakers, district leaders and community members seeking to understand school performance, academic success, and the pathway from early childhood to adult independence and success.

Supporting Educator Mental Health and Well-Being (PDF, 85KB) opens in new window

Between the growing challenges many face at work, many of which are unrelated to educating, and the overall societal and personal stressors that so many Americans continue to experience, educator well-being and willingness to persist in the profession has taken a significant toll.

School Climate, Safety, and Discipline (PDF, 546KB) opens in new window

Disparities in the use of exclusionary discipline can lead to a school-to-prison pipeline for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Other APA resources

Center for Psychology in Schools and Education

Promoting high quality application of psychological science to programs and policies for schools and pre-K through grade 12 education.

Top 20 principles for pre-K to 12 education

Principles from psychology to enhance pre-K to 12 teaching and learning.

Top 20 principles for early childhood teaching and learning

Principles from psychology to enhance pre-K to 12 teaching and learning in early childhood.

APA Children, Youth, and Families Office

This office provides resources for mental health professionals, families, educators, and all interested in improving the mental health of children and adolescents; supports the work of the APA Committee on Children, Youth and Families; and serves as liaison with other APA divisions, related organizations, state associations, and federal agencies.

Bullying and school climate

Bullying and school climate are linked to children’s academic achievement, learning and development.
Last updated: October 2026Date created: October 2021