Describes use of behavioral descriptors called Performance Results to guide instruction, combined with implementation of portfolio assessment, for middle level students in Utah's Salt Lake City School District. Discusses stumbling blocks to using the Performance Results for teachers and students, positive outcomes from the process, and future…

The University of Southern Maine's Extended Teacher Education Program includes an intensive, year-long internship for liberal arts graduates located at an innovative professional development school. The internship is linked with five Maine school districts participating in the Southern Maine Partnership. Interns must meet 11 standards and prepare…

A means of documenting exemplary college teaching is the teaching portfolio, which offers a wider range of evidence than single measures. A proposed faculty development program has teachers prepare portfolios individually, discuss teaching issues as a group within the academic unit, and design and test a system for evaluating teaching. This…

Describes a study comparing portfolio assessment to standardized test results and examining how both predicted subsequent academic achievement as indicated by grade point averages. Indicates that academic achievement could not be accurately predicted by any of three portfolio measures (that is, classwork, reading skills, or responses to text) or…

Presents portfolio assessment as an alternate approach to the measurement of multicultural counseling competency, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of portfolio assessment. Identifies the effectiveness of portfolio assessment in stimulating the development of further counseling competence. (SNR)

Outlines development by the United Kingdom's National Health Service Training Division (NHSTD) of a set of national standards for Information Management and Technology (IM&T) professionals in health care. Describes the technical-rational and "professional artistry" models of education and gives an overview of the Professional Awards…

Describes how the three paradigms of assessment (assessment as measurement, as procedure, or as inquiry) are similar and how they are different, using writing portfolios to help distinguish between them. Presents several factors that support teachers making a "paradigm shift" from assessment as measurement to assessment as inquiry. Explains…

Discusses the implementation of student portfolios to inform parents of the value of teacher advisory time for their middle school students. Considers the need for portfolios, the process of building the portfolio, and eliciting feedback from parents. (JPB)

Presents the case study of a high school English department's decision making process during portfolio scoring, focusing on nine teachers, to show one unintended consequence of using portfolios for accountability. Findings show that because the teachers could not be equally caring, just, and truthful to all stakeholders, they experienced ethical…

Describes the development of a high school classroom Web site and discusses how it encourages a student-centered environment. Explains the three parts of the site: the information disseminator, where teachers publish relevant information; electronic portfolios for writing projects; and online literary discourse, where students participate and…

Explores the portfolio process as an evaluation tool for authentic assessment of writing. Discusses (1) current literature related to use of portfolios; (2) the critical elements of the portfolio process; (3) their relationship to the authentic assessment of writing; and (4) effective ways of implementing individual educational portfolios for…

This commentary on "Accountability for All Students: Kentucky's Alternate Portfolio Assessment for Students with Moderate and Severe Cognitive Disabilities" (Kleinert and others), discusses the convergence of the inclusion movement and school reform efforts and the ability of the portfolio assessment to facilitate the inclusion of…

Describes experiences of two elementary math teachers, whose dynamic, hands-on teaching techniques were at odds with components of the Kentucky Instructional Results Information System (KIRIS). Despite these teachers' successful efforts, the new Commonwealth Accountability and Testing System (CATS) replacing KIRIS will not contain portfolios. (12…

Instructors who teach in online learning environments have the unique opportunity to enhance the interaction of their students through an online threaded discussion board. With effective planning and skillful facilitation techniques, this venue for posting messages can be used as a resource to engage learners in becoming an interactive and…

Reading "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" aloud to her sixth-grade students inspired this author to create a mathematics activity based on budgeting for school supplies for Hogwarts School. In that lesson, each student was assigned a name from the Hogwarts School roster and allotted a different dollar amount for his/her budget. Students…