This Digest is intended to help teacher candidates systematically gauge their progress toward the teaching profession by developing a portfolio. Portfolios are one way to assess teacher candidates, and they are a major requirement for experienced teachers seeking board certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The…

Discusses how teachers can make a portfolio more than a static collection of papers. Describes the passive portfolio as well as the active portfolio, and discusses moving to the active portfolio (a working portfolio which enables students to see their learning processes and take responsibility for their own learning). (SR)

A pilot test of a portfolio assessment process with 16 students in adult basic education and 4 in an English-as-a-Second language program revealed the following benefits: identification of student needs, better instructional planning and methods, and teacher reflection. Problems centered on paperwork, time, student ownership, and assessment of…

Examined the impact of school-centered portfolios on professional learning and collaboration. Data from interviews with an urban elementary school principal, staff developer, and teachers indicated that a wide range of conditions contributed to professional learning and collaboration through teaching portfolios (conditions supporting professional…

Explains a variety of models involving information use and includes key resources for each one. Highlights include a study of information skills; the REACTS model; the Big Six for information problem-solving; portfolio of information skills; pathways to knowledge; and characteristics of information literacy. (LRW)

Three findings emerged from 12 Hong Kong student nurses' descriptions of their experiences of portfolio assessment: (1) despite initial anxiety, all favored portfolio use; (2) portfolios had positive academic and affective outcomes; and (3) unexpectedly, spontaneous collaborative learning and increased motivation resulted. (Contains 35…

Despite emphasis on standardized testing, the Wake County Public School System, North Carolina, implemented student portfolios in two grant projects and found ways to make them useful tools. This paper describes Wake County schools' use of electronic portfolios; staff development for technology and assessment; overcoming difficulties in the…

A portfolio assessment process for education majors is aligned with state teacher standards and outlines types and sources of evidence to include. Student supports for professional development include mentors, seminars, and faculty advisers. A three-member team including a local classroom teacher conducts assessments of student teachers'…

Describes a model for portfolio supervision based on the results of a 2-year study of one elementary school's experience in implementing portfolio supervision. Includes four propositions that guided the development of the model. Describes the skills inherent in portfolio supervision. Provides general guidelines for implementation of the portfolio…

Resistance to self-direction in learning may be overcome with methods used to address resistance to portfolio assessment: training teachers thoroughly, requiring teachers to use reflection in their own learning, and training students to be reflective. (SK)

Discusses the assessment movement in higher education. Notes that effective, systematic assessments require a commitment of time. (SR)

During 1992, the American College Testing Program (ACT) attempted to develop a collaborative portfolio model to support both the classroom and the need for information about student capabilities. The program was pilot-tested in 7 high schools; during the 1995-96 academic year, 20 high schools will be involved in a field test. (MLH)

Contends that assessing writing is much the same as reviewing literature. Questions the differences between oral literature and composition and responses to them, and hypertext and responses to them. Discusses how these questions relate to determining achievement, performance, or learning in writing. Defines, offers a blueprint of, and discusses…

Describes the evolution of student evaluations and discusses the current trend of encouraging students to compile portfolios of their work organized around major themes. Explores the nature of portfolios, including their advantages and limitations, and describes the use of portfolios in two different university educational technology courses.…

Discusses the use of performance assessment and portfolio assessment as viable means for assessing children's efforts. Provides the basis for using both performance assessment and portfolio assessment together in order to get a more authentic assessment of children's performance in the elementary classroom. Presents guidelines to facilitate this…