Portfolios details

Most people are familiar with portfolios. The common uses are in business where you need to demonstrate to your potential employer the evidence that you are qualified to do the job. At TFA, our students develop their portfolios each marking period. Their task is to choose projects done collaboratively and individually, developing the chosen pieces till they can demonstrate the 15 Essential skills required to be ready for college and life. The skills that need to be demonstrated fall under the categories of:
Habits of the mind and Communication.

By reaching the point of understanding in these skills, our students are ready for any challenge in life.

With each chosen work, students explain the process by which they developed specific skills. In their required presentation of their portfolio, they describe the challenges they had to overcome, the research they needed, the re-writes, the conferencing, the collaboration, and the background knowledge they utilized. They describe the process they used to reach their goals, and explain what they still need to work on.

An introduction and a reflection are used for each piece entered in the portfolio. This is used to evaluate the quality of their learning. Finally, at each marking period, students orally present their portfolio before their class, guests, and teachers. By the fourth quarter of each year, the final portfolio needs to reflect the struggles that are now successes and the struggles that need continued perseverance to reach the highest level of application of the 15 Essential Skills.

 Ultimately, all portfolios lead to the “Senior Portfolio”. This is a masterpiece that represents all four years of High School. Included in the Senior Portfolio are the Senior Project, a demonstration of a balanced checking account, voter’s registration, job application, gratitude to the parents or guardians of the senior, and of course, their academic qualifications for graduation. This presentation is performed before a panel consisting of a local dignitary, a community member, a parent or guardian of the student, a junior student, a teacher, and the principal.

Portfolios are evaluated by using a rubric. The rubric describes what evidence to look for to see if the student has met the various expectations, exceeded the expectations, or evidence that there is a lack of demonstrated expectations. Much practice, and peer and teacher conferencing is a pre-requisite to achieve the final product.

I hope this description of portfolios helps you understand how this form of education prepares students for the 21^st century.