PUB TYPE Guides- Non-Classroom (055)

This document focuses on assessment portfolios and examines the advantages and challenges of using an assessment portfolio system inclusive of English language learners as a district-wide assessment tool. Advantages of including English language learners in the assessment program include increased school accountability for all students, a shared vision of student goals and standards, and an authentic picture of student learning. Assessment portfolios that include English language learners really can reflect assessment reforms. Among the drawbacks to the use of portfolio assessments that include English language learners is the fact that reliability is lower than for more traditional assessments, making comparisons more difficult. It is difficult to ensure standardized testing conditions, and the cost of administering portfolio assessments is higher than that of many other forms of assessment. Portfolios also pose a scoring dilemma because of staff development and training requirements and the item required to score portfolios correctly. Developing and implementing a large-scale assessment portfolio that includes English language learners requires extensive planning and discussion and requires considerable resources. Some steps to developing and implementing such a program are outlined. (Contains 16 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document