A portfolio collection lends itself to collaboration between students, and school administrators. Contents of the portfolio may be evaluated differently according to the purpose of the collection. Students may be permitted an opportunity to improve upon the contents of the portfolio as they engage in the evaluation of their own work. Portfolios may be the property of the student, of the school or both. Portfolios could replace report cards as a more comprehensive and more valid evaluation of students.
Computer based programs can aid in organizing and making collections more easily managed.
This state-wide project was initiated to provide teachers with more authentic information about student performance. The project was piloted with students in grades four and eight in the areas of writing and math. Specific guidelines developed by state education officials were used to determine the contents of the collection and criteria for evaluation. Early results from this project indicated success in terms of increased teacher understanding of individual student's needs and improved instructional techniques which took into account individual differences. The goal of dynamic assessment is for the student to increase the use of appropriate strategies for problem solving demonstrated during retesting.