Portfolios are collections of selected student work representing an array of performance.
Beyond this simple definition, student portfolios vary widely in content and purpose and even in who decides what goes into the portfolio. Decisions about what goes into the portfolio are typically made by the student creating the collection but may also involve teachers and peers as well as structural requirements for the entire project. The purpose of the portfolio may be simply to support instruction or it may also be seen to support administrative functions. This Consumer Guide presents information on what has been learned about using portfolios for administrative purposes, some of the problems involved, and some possible solutions to those problems. While there is a growing understanding of instructional uses for portfolios, they are increasingly being called upon to serve administrative functions as well.