This book provides educators with a flexible framework to guide decision making for effective and efficient use of portfolios in classrooms and schools. It targets major categories of decision making, as reflected in the first 10 chapters: (1) "Determining the Basics of Student Portfolios"; (2) "Selecting Categories for Entries"; (3) "Identifying…

This book explains to teachers and administrators the processes for creating student showcase portfolios to be used in student-led conferences. The portfolio is an assessment document of student performance, while the student-led conference truly demonstrates student learning. Creating portfolios without the purpose of sharing them with an…

What astounds one writing teacher is what her students do with the reflective writing portion of a portfolio assignment, where they are instructed to use reflective writing to bring together their portfolio submissions into one cohesive unit. The class members first discuss the assignment, look at abandoned portfolios from previous semesters, and…

There are numerous issues in the teaching of mathematics that need to be clarified and meaningfully understood by teachers, supervisors, and administrators. This paper discusses some of these issues, such as the integrated versus the separate subjects curriculum, the level of application versus knowledge for its own sake, state mandated versus…

The North Carolina Alternate Assessment Portfolio (NCAAP) is a year-long, performance-based assessment process that involves a representative and deliberate collection of student work/information that allows the user(s) to make judgments about what a student knows and is able to do. This includes the progress that has been made in those goals…

Reports on a study in an introductory physics course in which 16 students were assessed using a portfolio-style procedure and 19 were assessed using traditional, objective examinations. Results suggest that portfolio-style assessment supports student achievement at least at the same level as traditional assessment procedures. It also appears to…

Alternatives to master of business administration courses for construction industry managers are portfolios for assessing workplace competence, coaching and mentoring through networks or learning partnerships with master builders, and action learning to attain formal accreditation. These methods can attract small builders and contractors who are…

Explores the ability to construct a theory of writing assessment based on an understanding of the nature of language, written communication, and its teaching. Looks at current practices at universities that have been using assessment procedures that are site-based, practical, and have been developed and controlled locally. (TB)

Claims that asking students to evaluate their own reading and writing encourages more authentic assessment. Discusses guiding reflection in writing and reading workshops, and teacher responsibility for grading. Presents student comments that show students are able to self-evaluate and improve their efforts to justify higher ratings. (RS)

Outlines critical weaknesses of many assessment procedures. Argues that, to be meaningful, the act of assessment must in some way enhance the learning process. Discusses establishing purpose for assessment and selecting criteria. Outlines alternative assessment techniques. (SR)

Explains how e-portfolios were developed using the resources available at an elementary school. Concludes that e-portfolios help students get motivated, take educational risks, and learn topics in greater depth. (SOE)

Describes the revised portfolio assessment process implemented for Dallas (Texas) Chapter 1 students and reviews the literature on teacher adjustments to innovations. Describes a study of Dallas teachers' perspectives on the benefits and difficulties they encountered in implementing portfolio assessment in primary grades. Teachers passed through…

Reviews mail sent in response to a year's worth of "Middle School" columns in this journal. Notes that the column on a middle scholar's inquiry excursion went completely unnoticed and that the column on portfolio assessment received the most attention. (SR)

This study examined the degree to which samples collected in product portfolios from 216 kindergarten through second-grade students were able to predict their successful performance in a gifted program four years later. Students whose product portfolios were in the top quarter performed significantly better on later math and reading achievement…

Describes the use of portfolio cards in K-12 physical education (PE), presenting four principles to help PE teachers integrate authentic assessment and outcome items (clarity of focus, expanded opportunity, high expectations, and designing down). (SM)