Three perspectives on portfolio assessment
Date
1995
Authors
MacEwan, Karen Louise
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Abstract
This study explores the use of Portfolio Assessment in one Grade Eight classroom during the 1994-95 school year. By interviewing and observing five students, their parents (eight parents participated in total), and the classroom teacher, the researcher explored the portfolio process in order to answer the following research question: What are the effects of using portfolio from the perspective of students, parents and teachers? The study involved six stages of data collection: teacher interviews, classroom observations, student interviews, videotaped student-led conferences, parent interviews and follow-up student interviews.
The findings indicate that Portfolio Assessment is a valuable process for students, parents and teachers. All three participating groups described the same three benefits of Portfolios. First, portfolios demonstrate growth and improvement over time. Second, students feel a strong sense of pride in their portfolios. And third, portfolios provide a visual reminder or record of what has been accomplished.