STUDENT OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
Bachelor of Arts: Social Science- Specialist Teaching Major
Bachelor of Arts: Social Science- Generalist Teaching Major
The Bachelor of Arts Teaching degree in Social Science is designed to prepare graduates for
the professional teaching positions in secondary (grades 5-12) school classrooms. The Social
Science major offers two tracks: the Specialist certifies candidates to teach 3 content areas; and
the second track offers certification in 7 of the Social Science areas. Both tracks provide
students with a solid foundation in core knowledge and skills for those who choose to teach or
those who wish to pursue advanced graduate degrees in education or one of the social
sciences. The faculty is made of a full-time field experience coordinator/advisor/instructor and 2
faculty members from departments within the College of Behavioral Sciences. There is no
Social Science Department per se but the program falls under the jurisdiction of the Dean of the
College of Social Behavioral Sciences and the supporting departments.
I. Philosophy of Student Outcomes Assessment
The goal of teacher education at UNI is: To become a reflective, responsible decision
maker in a global and diverse democratic society.
The UNI Teacher Education Standards were designed by the UNI Teacher Education Faculty
and stakeholders to support the above goal and to assist students in achieving the necessary
knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by today’s teachers. The outcomes and competencies
of the Student Outcome Assessment Plan for the secondary Social Science majors are subsets of
the UNI Teacher Education Standards.
II. Goals for Undergraduate students in UNI Social Science Education Program
The following goals will enable the UNI Social Science Education program to fulfill its vision and
mission by producing future social science teachers who value and promote social studies literacy and
embrace diversity, equity, and respect for all. This will be achieved through producing preservice
secondary social science teachers who:
1. Are knowledgeable in social science content and based on that knowledge can advance
student learning..
2. Model effective social science teaching, which includes technology, and takes into account all
learners based on research and practice.
3. Use creative and critical thinking skills and effective oral and written communication
skills, both in the classroom and in professional dialogues with stakeholders in the
various learning communities
4. Engage in relevant activities and reflective practices that lead to professional growth and
lifelong learning.
5. Upon graduation, are prepared to successfully complete their initial year(s) of teaching.
II. Goals and Competencies
Goal #1: To produce preservice secondary social science teachers who are knowledgeable in social
science content.
Students shall:
Competency 1.1
Demonstrate achievement in social science content knowledge.
Competency 1.2
Demonstrate accurate knowledge of social science content and
their field experience teaching to advance student learning.
Goa1 #2: To produce preservice secondary science teachers who model effective social science
teaching, which includes technology, and takes into account all learners based on research and
practice.
Students shall:
Competency 2.1
Demonstrate the ability to make pedagogically sound decisions in social science
classrooms with respect to planning, designing, and implementing instruction
and assessment that is consistent with current national and state initiatives in
education and based on the theories, methods, and resources for teaching in a
secondary classroom setting
Competency 2.2
Successfully address various contextual factors including identifying student
characteristics and needs and modifying instructional practice based on these
factors.
Competency 2.3
Be able to select, use, and evaluate innovative instructional materials and
resources (including those that are technology-based involving the computer or
video) in an appropriate manner that is consistent with current national and state
initiatives in social studies education.
Competency 2.4
Be able to successfully diagnosis student characteristics and needs and
successfully modify instructional practice as required based on
characteristics and needs of all students
Goal # 3: To produce preservice secondary teachers who use of creative and critical thinking
skills and effective oral and written communication skills, both in the classroom and in
professional dialogues with stakeholders in the various learning communities
Students Shall:
Competency 3.1
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of creative and critical thinking skills while
planning for, implementing, and reflecting upon the practice of teaching.
Competency 3.2
Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication in classroom and
other professional settings.
Goal #4: To produce preservice secondary social science teachers who engage in relevant activities
and reflective practices that lead to professional growth and lifelong learning.
Students Shall:
Competency 4.1
Demonstrate professional and reflective practices including participating in
professional development experiences.
Goal #5 To produce preservice secondary social science teachers, who upon graduation, are
prepared to successfully complete their initial year(s) of teaching.
Students Shall:
Competency 5.1
Successfully complete the student teaching experience.