What if...? Portfolio Trouble-Shooting
Potential Problems |
Strategies for Improvement |
| Portfolio has too many work samples |
Reconsider portfolio purpose(s)
Reconsider selection criteria Examine organization |
| Portfolio contains only worksheets | Expand variety of instructional activities and assessments |
| Portfolio contains or resembles cumulative file |
Examine definition and purpose of portfolio
Consider philosophy of portfolio assessment as student-centered |
| Portfolio contents show no evidence of self- reflection |
Examine definition and purpose of portfolio
Have students participate in selection process Help students understand why samples are included |
| Student has more than one portfolio | Focus on coordination between teachers and programs |
| Portfolio contents show no evidence of feedback to students |
Instructional goals and performance standards are clear and articulated
Develop and use rubrics |
| Students are not sure how to select portfolio pieces |
Articulate portfolio purposes and selection criteria for contents
Maintain student-teacher communication through conferencing Align instructional strategies with portfolio philosophy |
| Students are not sure what to do to meet academic goals |
Maintain student-teacher communication through conferencing
Align instructional strategies with portfolio philosophy Develop and use scoring rubrics |
| Teachers experience difficulty calculating grades |
Consider options for determining grades based on portfolio contents
Establish a grading policy that is aligned with portfolio assessment |
| parents are concerned and/or confused about portfolios |
Involve parents in decision making
Provide parent education on portfolios Involve parents in responding to portfolio contents |
| Teachers are overwhelmed and overworked |
Implement portfolios gradually
Provide staff development and planning opportunities Involve students in portfolio process Schedule portfolio assessment into daily class schedule |
| Portfolios pose a storage problem |
Consider options; talk to others implementing portfolios
Collect fewer work samples |
Return to Assessment Index Page
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Portfolio Trouble-shooting
File Updated August 25, 2005
Copyright © 2000 RMC Research Corporation