A portfolio is a collection of a student's work that demonstrates their efforts, progress, and achievements over time. It is designed to provide a more holistic assessment of a student's skills and accomplishments compared to single, snapshot assessments. There are different types of portfolios, including working portfolios that document ongoing progress and celebration portfolios that highlight a student's best work. Effective portfolio assessment involves students in selecting portfolio pieces and criteria for evaluation, allows for reflection, and can improve communication between teachers and students. However, portfolios also require significant time and effort to implement effectively.

1. Portfolio Assessment
BY
DR.SHAZIA ZAMIR

2. What is a Portfolio?
 A portfolio is a systematic collection of
one’s work.
 It is the primary way professionals display
their work.
◦ Artists, models, architects, etc
 (Dictionary Meaning) A flat case for
carrying documents or drawings.
 A set of drawings, paintings, or
photographs that are presented together in
a folder.

3. Nature of Portfolio Assessments
 Portfolio assessments: purposeful, organized
collection of student work that can be used to
describe efforts, progress, or achievement.
 The idea of the academic portfolio is derived
from an artist’s or writer’s portfolio.
 Provide a mean for students to show what
they can really do; they are considered to be
based on the “real world.”
 Student performances or products are
compiled in an effort to show
accomplishments or improvement over time.

4. Nature of Portfolio Assessment
• Teachers provide guidelines and work
collaboratively with students to identify
goals of the portfolio and work samples to
be included.
• Both teacher and student have continuous
access to its contents (much more student-
centered than other forms of classroom
assessment).
• Can be adapted to meet individual
instructional needs (each portfolio is
treated individually).
• Student reflections provide students with
opportunities to think about how they
think.

5. Nature of Portfolio Assessments
 Are not simply composed of random work
samples, nor is everything included; they
represent a purposeful collection of work.
 Several features differentiate them from
work sample folders:
• students must be included in the process
• criteria for selection of work must be
identified
• criteria for judging value of work must be
developed

6. Nature of Portfolio Assessment
• Different from other forms of assessment,
portfolios tend to focus on student
achievements, not mistakes.
• Portfolios put emphasis on student
strengths.
• Can be an extremely time-consuming
attempt.
 The review process (continual examination of
portfolio along with meetings with individual
students).

7. Use of Portfolio in instruction
1. Make sure students “own” their portfolios
2. Decide what kind of work to collect
3. Collect and store work samples
4. Select criteria by which to evaluate work
samples
5. Require students to continually evaluate their
own products
6. Schedule and conduct portfolio conferences
7. Involve parents in the portfolio assessment
process

8.  Documentation Portfolios
• Purpose is to provide an ongoing record of
student progress.
• Emphasis is on accumulation of evidence
(e.g., effort, progress, achievement).
• Focus is holistic.
 Showcase Portfolios
• Purpose is to highlight and display
accomplishments.
• Include student’s best or favorite work.
• Samples should demonstrate highest
levels of achievement.
• Student reflection is key in this type of
portfolio.

9. • Class Portfolio
 Summary document used to illustrate
accomplishments of an entire class.
 No student reflections included.
 Used to report to parents and
administrators.

10. Purposes of Portfolios
1. Documentation of student progress
◦ Working portfolios
2. Showcasing student accomplishments
◦ Celebration portfolios
3. Evaluation of student status
4. Portfolio documents student growth and
development over time.
5. Used to report to parents and
administrators.
6. ----------------------------------------

11. Creating Portfolios
 Steps to Guide the Development of
Portfolios
Step 1:Determine the purpose of portfolio.
Step 2:Identify the content, concepts, and skills to be
assessed.
Step 3:Identify the approach to organization.
Step 4:Specify how and when students will be
involved.
Step 5:Develop scoring rubrics.
Step 6:Arrange for multiple reviewers to improve
reliability.
Step 7:Plan for the final conference.

12. Strength and weaknesses of
Portfolio Assessments
 Advantages
• Substantial involvement of students in the
process.
• Can show student growth over time, as
opposed to single “snapshot.”
• Foster communication between teachers and
students.
• Require a shift in roles for teachers and
students.
• Weaknesses with respect to validity and
reliability.

13.  Limitations
• Time-intensive.
• Labor-intensive.
• Logistical issues of storage.
• Weaknesses with respect to validity and
reliability.

14. How Can I Store the Portfolios?
 Expandable file folders
 X-ray folders
 Pizza boxes
 Grocery bag
 Large mailing envelopes
 Magazine holders
 Office supply boxes
 Paper briefcases
 Plastic crates
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