Phil Harrison Coaching

Many years ago as a music educator, I became interested in the use of portfolios for student assessment. I found that portfolios gave students greater opportunities for choice in assessment since they make the final determination regarding what work products are included. Students seemed to appreciate the opportunity to show their growth over time and liked the flexibility of the portofolio. 

I believe teachers in all grade levels and in all content areas should consider using portfolios as part of the assessment routine in their classrooms. In the book Classroom Assessment Essentials, author Susan M. Brookhart shares the following suggestions for using portfolios for assessment (pp. 140-145):

1. Identify the purpose of the portfolio. A portfolio could be designed to showcase only the best work of the student or to showcase the growth and development of the student. Regardless of which purpose is chosen, make sure that the purpose is clearly articulated to students, so they know what they are building. 
2. Determine entries and organization. What goes into the collection and how it is organized are both important considerations. Entries can be works-in-progress, previously assessed works, or revisions of earlier products. Organizational techniques vary from by the standard or in chronological order. Again, be sure that the types of entries and the overall organization of the document are clearly articulated for students. 
3. Develop practical and logistical aspects of portfolio use. Establish a work calendar that fits into the natural flow of the unit. Determine when and how students should be prepared to present updates and the final collection. 
4. Evaluate the collections and the overall effectiveness of the experience. Establish a rubric ahead of time that provides varying levels of mastery. Use portfolio experiences to propel additional learning. After all, a collection of such magnitude shouldn’t just sit on a shelf. It should inform and enrich the learning experience over and over again. 

As you prepare for the upcoming weeks, think of how you might use portfolios to further enhance learning in your classroom. You and your students will be glad you did!