The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Studies Education, grades 8-12, prepares highly competent professional teachers who demonstrate effective teaching, including positive results for student learning, self-reflection and appropriate professional dispositions. The program uses the National Council for the Social Studies, the Kentucky Social Studies Teaching Standards, and Education Professional Standards Board Themes to guide its programs. Clearly, to be effective teachers who are able to prepare effective citizens requires that teachers also demonstrate the knowledge, skills, values, dispositions, and respect for diversity. Prospective social studies teachers engage in value decisions both in relation to the curriculum as well as in their ability to effectively teach students of diverse cultural backgrounds. In teaching about issues of equity and justice, prospective social studies teachers must be able to examine their own teaching effectiveness, particularly in working with students of diverse cultural backgrounds.