How to Implement Portfolio Assessment:
Teacher Resource
1.
Discuss with your ProTeam students what a portfolio is.
Explain to the students that a portfolio is a collection of a learner's work and reflection on that work gathered
over a period of time. The collection demonstrates the skills, perceptions and development of the learner.
2.
Let the students know what percentage of their grades for the marking period will be based on their
portfolios.
You may wish to begin with the portfolio as a small percentage of the grade. For example, during the first
grading period, you may wish to count the portfolio as 1/3 of the final average and count class activities and
projects as 2/3 of the final average. Most research suggests that using portfolios is more successful if the
teacher begins with the portfolio as a small part of the grade and gradually increases its weight throughout the
year.
3.
Discuss with students the contents of the portfolio and the selection of works to be included in the
portfolio.
(See student handouts on the following pages.) You will need to determine the number of modules that you
will cover during the grading period so that you can let students know at the beginning of the grading period
what modules will be included in their portfolios. It is important to emphasize to the students that their
selection of works to be included may vary from those listed. You want to encourage creativity and divergent
thinking by giving them freedom to develop their own portfolios.
4.
Discuss with students how the portfolio will be graded.
See Grading and Assessments in the previous pages of the curriculum for suggestions of ways to evaluate and
score portfolios.
5.
Go over a sample of what might be included in a portfolio.
6.
Arrange individual conferences with students throughout the grading period to discuss progress and
problems or concerns.
You may also wish to arrange a time for peer conferences and evaluations so that students can discuss and
make suggestions to other students about their portfolios.
7.
Collect the portfolios at the end of the grading period.
Portfolios should be evaluated according to the rubric or scale established at the beginning of the grading
period. You may wish to hold individual conferences with students to discuss their scores and to talk about
their progress.
PROTEAM DREAMQUEST CURRICULUM
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