What does a teacher do to prepare for portfolio assessment?
• Prepare a statement of the purpose of the portfolio for students. • Make sure all stakeholders especially students and parents understand the purpose. Include a cover sheet design or other appropriate method to introduce the concept of self-evaluation and reflection. • Determine the criteria to be used for choosing work to be included in the portfolio. Students can and should be involved in setting the criteria. • If the portfolio is to be used for studying student growth, create a first best works portfolio to be set aside and compared to the final portfolio. This method prevents a bulging portfolio with mixtures of old and new work. However, it may be advantageous to create a portfolio with beginning work followed by final work. This is especially true when specific skills or knowledge are to be assessed rather than a more global picture of student achievement. • Develop focus questions for portfolios over time and/or focus questions for portfolios of best works. • Develop guided s
