Assessment for Learning in Kindergarten

Developing Student Portfolios

What is a student portfolio?

A portfolio provides an overview of a childs growth and learning in key areas of development during the kindergarten year. A portfolio is usually compiled near the end of the kindergarten year. A portfolio can be used for a variety of purposes, and in different ways.

What are some purposes of a student portfolio?

A portfolio can be developed with children to acknowledge and record their growth. A portfolio can be used to inform parents and other educators about the childs strengths, learning highlights, and developmental profile near the end of the kindergarten year. A portfolio can focus discussion among parents, educators and support staff about how best to support a childs learning.

What could a student portfolio include?

A portfolio may contain:
One or more assessment continua, completed at several points in the year to show growth over time; Photos, work samples or other evidence illustrating the childs activities and accomplishments; A profile sheet summarizing the childs strengths, highlights of growth during the year, factors to consider in planning for the future, and specific suggestions for supporting the childs learning.

Who decides on the contents of a student portfolio?

Teachers usually decide on what will be useful and realistic for themselves, their students, families and/or colleagues. Portfolios may be developed by the teacher and students together. An individual childs portfolio may focus on one or two priority areas, rather than covering all aspects of a childs development.

Building portfolios over time

Teachers have many opportunities to observe childrens development in the context of every day learning.

Building portfolios over time

Teachers often observe and record while children play, experience and interact.

Building portfolios over time

The assessment continua are used to focus observations. A teacher may observe only one or two aspects at a time, or watch a few children at a time.

Building portfolios over time

Gradually, the teacher gathers a record of development for each child by highlighting on the same continuum at several points in the year.

Building portfolios over time

The teacher and children may also gather examples of learning to include in the portfolio.

Building portfolios over time

When the portfolio is compiled near the end of the year, the teacher may include a profile sheet summarizing important points about the childs learning and growth.