Portfolio Sample Q & A

1. Is a copy of a page of music that a student is learning to play a good sample for music?

A page of music doesn’t demonstrate any student learning to an auditor. Music samples could consist of: A picture of the student playing their instrument or performing at a recital; a program brochure/sheet listing the student’s performance on it; an essay written by the student about what they have learned or how they feel playing; a completed page from a music theory workbook.

2. Is a photocopy of the cover of a book adequate for reading?

A photocopy of the cover of a book doesn’t demonstrate any student learning to an auditor. Reading samples could consist of: a picture of the student having the book read to them; the student reading log for a month or semester; a book report or other written work associated with reading; a picture of a project created for a unit study around a book.

3. Can a student draw a picture or write a paragraph about a PE activity?

Yes, that activity demonstrates student learning in PE, so is a good portfolio sample. Other PE samples could consist of: a score card for a sport the student participated in; pictures of a student participating in a sport.

4. How do I collect a portfolio sample for a Conversational Foreign Language class when they are doing no written work?

Remember a portfolio sample must demonstrate student learning. This would be a good time to use an audio or video recorder to capture the student using their conversational language skills. A still photograph of the student using the foreign language would not be acceptable, though, as no oral learning can be captured in a photo.

5. Is a photocopy of the table of contents of the student’s textbook adequate?

A photocopy of the table of contents of the student’s textbook doesn’t demonstrate any student learning to an auditor. Textbook learning samples could consist of: Written answers to questions from the textbook; a student’s written outline of what they read; an essay on the topic; a picture of a project related to the topic.

6. Are grades from a CP instructor or an RSP teacher acceptable as a portfolio sample?

Grades from a CP instructor or an RSP teacher can be used only as a recommendation to the ES (who is responsible legally for any grades assigned to their students) of how the student did in the course. Grades are recorded on the student’s report card, and not in the portfolio. The portfolio needs to show student’s work to support that grade the ES gave on the report card.

7. Would a written statement saying “Johnny read 40 minutes every day” be an acceptable portfolio sample?

This would not be acceptable to an auditor, as it is too vague to show learning progress. A reading log learning sample should consist of a daily log completed by the student (or parent if the student is not yet capable), documenting the date, the time spent reading, the number of pages read, and the name of the book read. This type of sample will show student learning progress throughout the month/s.

8. Would a PE check-off sheet be an acceptable portfolio sample?

A PE check-off sheet could be an acceptable portfolio sample, if it is specific enough to show what the student did for PE. A simple statement that the student “Spent 30 minutes a day on PE” is too vague. A PE log learning sample should consist of a daily log completed by the student (or parent if the student is not yet capable), documenting the date, the time spent in the activity, and the name of the PE activity.

9. Why are time/activity logs acceptable for PE and not all other growth areas?

The State Standards for PE have “participation” in a physical fitness activity as the goal. Therefore, an activity log demonstrates student mastery of that goal. Most of the other growth areas do not have this type of goal.

10. Is it acceptable to just cut off or white-out any sectarian references on the portfolio sample before submitting it?

No. Portfolio samples must come from materials purchased by the school for the student’s learning or from materials that could be purchased by the school. A sectarian learning sample does not meet these portfolio requirements.

11. How should I proceed if the parent does not want their young student to do any written work on a regular basis, and it is too late or they object to pictures or audio or video recordings being taken of their student?

This is a good opportunity for you to use an Edusoft test, a CTAP worksheet, or other appropriate educational materials you may have collected in the subject area in question. Remind the parent that portfolio samples were discussed at their enrollment meeting, and ask to administer and collect the sample you have brought to the meeting to document their learning.