Portfolio Assessment Is it right for you

Portfolio Assessment Is it right for you?

Definition n n Portfolios are defined as a generally systematic and organized collection of evidence used by the teacher and student to monitor growth of the student’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The collection must include student participation in selective contents.

Purpose of Portfolios Gives information about progress over time. (unpublished class notes) n Engages students in assessing their own progress. n Links assessment and teaching to learning. n Helps students become selfreflective. n

Purpose of Portfolios (continued) Allows for individual differences between students. n Allows meaningful communication and conferencing with parents. n

Types of Portfolio n n n Working Portfolios: Focuses on “process” and self-evaluation. Showcase Portfolios: Intended for display at conferences or open house. Other types of portfolios include: assessment portfolio, subject area portfolio, skill area portfolio, celebration portfolio, growth portfolio, project portfolio, and status reportfolio.

Guidelines for Application (Popham, 2000, p. 301 -302) Make sure students own their portfolio n Decide on what kinds of work samples to collect n Collect and store work samples n Select evaluative criteria by which to evaluate portfolio work samples (appraisal rubric) n

Guidelines for Application (continued) Require students to evaluate continually their own portfolio products n Schedule and conduct portfolio conferences n Involve parents in the portfolio assessment process n

Advantages to Implementing Portfolio Assessment (unpublished class notes) n n n n Collaborative assessment between student and teacher Attention given to individual students Longitudinal growth shown Shared accountability Student-led conferences Parent communication Students are engaged and motivated

Challenges to Implementing Portfolio Assessment Difficult to devise rubric and assess n Involves extensive time commitment on teacher’s part (in and out of class) n Differentiated interpretation n

The Portfolio of the Future Electronic portfolios are an efficient way to store a wide variety of work including multimedia work samples n A single CD could follow a student through their school career n

Portfolio Case Study: Ms. Morales Read synopsis on page 306. n Using the seven guidelines on pages 301 -302, what is missing? n