Suggests that the portfolio bandwagon began with a series of unexamined assertions against existing practices. Concludes that the challenge of writing teachers is to develop valid and reliable methods of assessing student writing, based on clearly defined purposes, and to educate the various publics about the complexities of that challenge. (RS)

Describes readers' responses to the task of assigning scores to nonuniform portfolios of student writing. Suggests that reaching the goal of reliability in reading practices will not be easy. Concludes that writing program administrators should greet suggestions for the use of nonuniform portfolios with questioning restraint. (RS)

Contributes to the knowledge of portfolio systems for writing evaluation by sharing evaluative procedures and their results. Reports on the results of a survey of students evaluated using a portfolio system. Finds that students preferred the portfolio system. (RS)

Reports on an investigation into the types of writing placement that institutions are currently using, in addition to the kinds of writing courses offered. Outlines current writing placement procedures in hope of spurring further professional conversations concerning these practices. (HB)