STUDENT OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
Bachelor of Arts: All Science Teaching Major
Bachelor or Arts: Middle/Jr. High School Science Teaching Major
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 Science
majors are subsets of the UNI Teacher Education Standards.
1. Professional Knowledge and Skills: the graduate will be an educated person who is
able to synthesize general knowledge, subject content knowledge, pedagogical
knowledge, and instructional and assessment skills/strategies into teaching to meet
the needs of all students.
2. Diversity/Contexts of Student Learning: the graduate will understand and apply
knowledge of human development, theories of learning, and contextual factors to
pedagogical decision making designed to ensure that all students learn. He or she
will consistently establish and maintain appropriate learning environments that are
informed by specific contexts of learning including culture, community, home,
school, classrooms, and students.
3. Technology as an Integral Component of Professional Practice: the graduate will
demonstrate the ability to optimize learning through the integration of appropriate
technologies into professional practice.
4. Effective Thinking and Communication Skills: the graduate will demonstrate the
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.
5. Reflective Decision Making: the graduate will be able to make individual and
collaborative professional decisions based upon knowledge, reflection, ethical
considerations, theory and research, and wisdom of practice. He or she will also
demonstrate the application of effective thinking and communication skills to develop
positive professional relationships and leadership skills as an educator.
6. Professional Development: the graduate will pursue continuous professional
development to improve educational practice and student learning. Such professional
growth is based on reflection, self-assessment, and conscious decisions about change
in a global and diverse democratic society.
II. Outcomes and Competencies
Outcome 1 Students shall use effective communication skills, methods, materials, and
instructional technology appropriately to facilitate learning in science that addresses the
needs of all students.
Students shall:
Competency 1.1
Understand issues in secondary science classrooms with
respect to instructional strategies, assessment, planning and
management that address current national and state
initiatives in science education.
Competency 1.2
Understand philosophies, methods, and materials for
teaching secondary physical sciences, including
Earth/space science, and/or secondary life science.
Competency 1.3
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 science education.
Competency 1.4
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of creative and critical
thinking skills and effective oral and written
communication skills to facilitate a positive learning
environment for all students.
Outcome 2 Students will apply the above outcomes and competencies through
appropriate field experiences and reflective practice.
Students shall:
Competency 2.1
Be able to synthesize and interpret information in the
required science disciplines.
Competency 2.2
Be able to successfully diagnosis student characteristics
and needs and successfully modify instructional practice as
required based on characteristics and needs of all students.
Competency 2.3
Demonstrate the ability to apply the above competencies
directly in a classroom setting through participation in
required field experiences for Level III (methods) classes.
Competency 2.4
Successfully complete the student teaching experience.
Measurement of Competencies
Competency
1.1
Assessment
Successful completion of Teacher Work Sample (TWS) in science
teaching methods classes with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS
assessment rubric; successful ratings on the Secondary Methods
Assessment Rubric
1.2
Successful completion of a TWS in Current Curricula courses with
a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric; successful
ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric
1.3
Successful completion of a TWS in Current Curricula courses
with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric;
successful ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric
1.4
Successful completion of a TWS in Current Curricula courses
with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric;
successful ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric
2.1
Successful completion of a TWS in Current Curricula courses
with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric;
successful ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric
2.2
Successful completion of a TWS in Current Curricula courses
with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric;
successful ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric
2.3
Successful completion of a TWS in science teaching methods
classes with a rating of 2 or better on the TWS Assessment Rubric;
successful ratings on the Secondary Methods Assessment Rubric;
successful completion of the Professional Teaching Portfolio
2.4
Student Teaching evaluations by Cooperating Teacher and Student
Teaching Coordinator; evaluation of Teacher Work Sample during
Student Teaching.