1. Portfolios EDUC 307

2. Portfolio  a limited collection of student’s work used either to present the student’s best work(s) or to demonstrate the student’s educational growth over a given time.  A portfolio is not just a scrapbook.  The works put into the portfolio should be carefully and deliberately selected, so that the collected accomplishes its purpose.

3. 2 Types of Portfolios  Best Works  Growth Portfolio

4. Best Works Portfolio  Allows large segments of a student’s learning experience to be assessed.  May allow students to participate in the selection of the material to be included in the portfolio.  Permits a much broader assessment of learning targets.

5. Purposes  Evidence of subject-matter mastery and learning  Evidence of high-level accomplishment in an area such as art or writing.  Evidence of minimal competence in a subject for purposes of graduation.  Pass on information about a student to the next teacher.

6. Growth Portfolio  Allows large segments of a student’s learning experiences to be reviewed.  Allows monitoring of a student’s growth and progress.  Communicates to students that growth and progress are more important than test results.  Allow students to participate in selecting and evaluating material to include in the portfolio.

7. Growth Portfolio  Contains examples of a student’s work, along with comments, that demonstrate how well the student’s learning has progressed over a given period.  It does not focus on the final products the student produces.  Instead, you and student use the portfolio for formative purposes to monitor the student’s learning and thinking progress, to diagnose learning and thinking difficulties, and to guide new learning and thinking.

8. Self-Reflection  Effective self-reflection can enhance student learning. Give students prompts:  What is the process you went through to complete this assignment?  Where did you get your ideas?  What makes your most effective different from your least effective piece?  How does this activity relate to what you have learned before?  What are the strengths of your work?

9. Evaluation  Scoring Rubrics  Is your rubric aligned with the state standards and school district’s curriculum framework?  Will students, teachers, or both evaluate entries?  How often will the whole portfolio need to be scored (each week or each grading period)?  Is it necessary to have an overall score for the portfolio?