National Mission Priorities

Portfolios for Student Growth:
an Overview

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Portfolios for Student Growth: A Teacher/Staff Guide: “Everything You Need to Know”

What is PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH?

PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH (PSG) is a dynamic, student-centered, three-part process-led approach to portfolio development used at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), a part of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. PSG encompasses three phases:

• The Professional Process–discussions among professionals leading to a common understanding of portfolios and the portfolio process
• The Student Process–student-led short and long term planning, management, and completion of portfolio requirements
• The Student Product–the tangible collection of evidence

When combined with clearly defined outcomes, PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH is a powerful tool for analyzing, assessing, and promoting academic progress and personal growth.

PSG offers the opportunity to observe and document a wide range of student behaviors, skills, and learning over an extended period of time.

PSG enables the student, educators and families to:

• Analyze capabilities
• Focus on strengths
• Develop compensatory strategies for underdeveloped areas
• Plan for the future.

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How Does PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH Promote Active Student Learning?

Using PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH, students are actively involved in a process of taking responsibility for their own learning and life plan as they:

• examine a broad range of their own work collected over time
• analyze and assess their own progress
• plan and manage their time to complete the work
• integrate diverse experiences in and out of the classroom
• make decisions about future goals based on evidence and criteria

PSG allows the student to:

• collect and categorize evidence
• analyze work, identify strengths and needed improvements
• set personal goals, develop and implement action plans
• reflect on learning and growth
• communicate what was learned
• assume increasing level of responsibility

PSG encourages the portfolio advisor is to:

• guide students through the portfolio process.
• encourage an increasing level of student responsibility and independence
• foster time management and organizational skills
• assist students in finding solutions to problems
• provide students with regular feedback on their work and process
• serve as a resource of ideas

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How Did PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH Evolve?

PSG began several years ago with seniors at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) as a way for students to actively review their work and demonstrate their learning to others. Over time PSG was refined within the team and expanded throughout MSSD. Successful portfolio completion is now required for annual matriculation and graduation. PSG is expanding in use at the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES).

PSG begins with Outcomes. Outcomes are focused, defined learning and behavior targets. Outcomes:

• are often linked directly to standards and benchmarks
• shift the focus from a narrow view of the student to a holistic, integrated perspective.
• guide all portfolio development and evidence collection.

KDES/MSSD has defined 5 student outcomes: essential knowledge, communication, thinking skills, emotional intelligence and life planning. [See: MSSD Student Outcomes].

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How Can PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH Apply to Students in My School or Program?

PSG is valuable for:

• Creating an individual, class, or school portfolio process
• Enriching a portfolio process already in existence
• Sharing information about students with families and other educators
• Fostering student empowerment and self-determination

PSG can be implemented in a variety of schools and program settings.

• Residential and day-schools for deaf and hard of hearing students
• Inclusive and mainstream classrooms in public schools
• Resource rooms and other support service environments
• Independent study and senior project courses

PSG can serve a variety of functions:

• A hub for student growth, reflection, and planning in all aspects of a student’s school experience.

PSG is appropriate for use with ALL students.

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What Can I Use on this Web Site Right Now?

On this site, you will find information and materials about PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH. All material found on this site were developed by teachers and staff at MSSD for use with high school students. They are a “work-in-progress” and will continue to evolve as we use and refine them to better meet student needs.

• AVAILABLE NOW: PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH: A Teacher/Staff Guide: “Everything You Need to Know” - a complete Educators Guide that describes the process, product and explains implementation of PSG.
  • The Guide includes an extensive collection of reflection forms, rubrics, tips and related materials for each outcome that can be used as is, or adapted to your school or program.
• AVAILABLE NOW: PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH: Training and Workshops – training sessions and workshops are now available to learn more about PSG and to learn how PSG can be implemented in your school or program.
  • For information on PSG training opportunities, please contact Portfolios.Clerccenter@gallaudet.edu.

What’s Coming? – Future PSG Resources

On-line Course

PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH: Designing Student-Directed Portfolios for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students – look for the online course coming in 2005

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Materials

PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH – Getting Started Resource Manual:

• Guidelines and processes to develop a student-directed portfolio process and product in your school or program.
• Guidelines for enhancing student portfolios already in use at your school.

PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH - Elementary and Middle Schools version

PORTFOLIOS FOR STUDENT GROWTH - Connecting Families and Schools

• Actively involve families in student portfolio development
• Incorporate portfolios into student conferences and IEP meetings
• Use portfolios as a family-student-school communication tool

Contact Information

For information on PSG training opportunities, materials, or to request additional information contact Portfolios.Clerccenter@gallaudet.edu.

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