B.S.Ed. Middle Grades Education – Mission & Program Outcomes
These Student Learning Outcomes indicate knowledge, skills, and dispositions that candidates will enact by the end of the clinical practice, or student teaching, semester. These Student Learning Outcomes are informed by and align with Standards for Middle Level Teacher Preparation from the Association for Middle Level Education and Georgia Standards for teacher preparation.
Student Learning Outcome 1 (Content):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will apply an in-depth knowledge of the content (i.e., disciplinary content knowledge and knowledge of the young adolescent) they need to teach in the middle grades.
Candidates will:
- Demonstrate mastery of concepts in the content areas,
- Apply understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge through interdisciplinary and integrated curriculum,
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts related to the development of young adolescents, and
- Explain and synthesize characteristics of effective teaching and learning for young adolescents.
Student Learning Outcome 2 (Planning):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will plan effective teaching and learning experiences for diverse learners based on the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for the teaching context.
Candidates will:
- Develop guiding essential questions as well as daily questions and objectives aligned to state and national standards to show what students should know and be able to do,
- Develop logical and sequential plans for units and lessons,
- Design and variety of developmentally responsive, challenging, empowering, and equitable student learning experiences that are aligned with objectives and standards,
- Include relevant, integrative, challenging, and exploratory teaching and learning experiences that are differentiated and responsive to student diversity,
- Create, select, and integrate a variety of materials, resources, and tools to support and challenge all learners.
Student Learning Outcome 3 (Instruction):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will demonstrate effective instructional practices based on the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions required for the teaching context.
Candidates will:
- Select and adapt appropriate content-area and interdisciplinary instructional strategies,
- Engage students in active learning and support their higher-order thinking,
- Foster a safe and welcoming learning environment,
- Model inquiry, enthusiasm for learning, and respect for all students,
- Use a variety of communication techniques to explain concepts and engage students in learning.
Student Learning Outcome 4 (Assessment):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will assess and analyze student learning in an effective manner.
Candidates will:
- Design and select assessments that are aligned to instructional objectives and that will show evidence of student learning,
- Design and select a range of formative and summative assessments,
- Develop and share assessment criteria, guidelines, and rubrics aligned with standards and instructional objectives,
- Provide students feedback for learning to indicate strengths and growth areas relative to instructional objectives,
- Analyze and use assessment data to adapt and plan future instruction.
Student Learning Outcome 5 (Dispositions):
Candidates in the BSED in Middle Grades Education Program, by the end of the student teaching semester (clinical practice), will demonstrate professional dispositions.
Candidates will:
- Demonstrate appropriate interactions and collaborations with all stakeholders,
- Model behaviors appropriate to educators,
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills related to verbal (written and spoken) and non-verbal forms of communication,
- Demonstrate a positive regard for all learners.
Last updated: 6/6/2022