Assessment Portfolio

Portfolios can have two major functions:

• To illustrate the kinds of things the child is able to do
• To use the examples as the basis for sharing with others

The portfolio is infinitely adaptable to teachers goals, as well as to the children’s strengths and abilities.

Tips for a portfolio assessment:

• This is a process that happens over time
• It's coordinated by teachers, about each individual child’s progress
• Decide what you want to assess: art, literacy, play; motor skills etc.
• Decide which documents best demonstrate development: Drawings, photos, recordings etc...
• Collect samples regularly: Be sure to add dates of when the children did them
• Decide how to store the samples: folder, box etc.
• Have the children decorate or label their portfolio to indicate their uniqueness
• See if there are gaps in the developmental story. Do you have work that shows full range of what the child can do?
• See if what you have collected can tell a clear story to other teachers and the parent
• An assessment portfolio should contain a wide range of work. 
• Be sure it is individualized.