Education Portfolio Information

Southwest Minnesota State University
Communities of Practice Investigating Learning and Teaching

Introduction to Portfolios

 What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is an organized, goal-driven documentation of professional development and achieved competence, describing “stories” about who we are as learners and educators. The process of creating the portfolio requires 1) integration of knowledge, skills, and dispositions, 2) inquiry, reflection, collaboration, and use of technology, 3) self-assessment and self-responsibility, 4) planning for lifelong professional and career development.

While there are many terms used to describe different types of portfolios, there are two general types: a working portfolio and a presentation portfolio. A working portfolio is larger and more complete than a presentation portfolio. It is often a crate or file organized by the appropriate standards and relevant documents are stored. A presentation portfolio is complied for a specific purpose. It is selective and streamlined for quality and not quantity of documents. A companion electronic portfolio can be of either or both types as well.

Who are the audiences for professional portfolios?

There are three audiences for professional portfolios: the professionals themselves, their colleagues, and their supervisors/administrators. The primary audience is the person who prepares the portfolio. Educators document the history of their work, their knowledge base, their practices, their questions, and their growth. The portfolio serves as a vehicle for dialogue and discussion with colleagues. Colleagues can provide some of the most relevant feedback when they articulate what they think and know in ways that show respect for different ways of knowing and thinking. Administrators/supervisors can use the portfolios to foster communication among other professionals with similar assets, needs and interests.

Portfolio Development and Presentation

The education portfolios, based upon on the National Board of Professional Teaching standards, are developed throughout the Education Graduate Program with specific emphasis in ED 623:  Professional Planning and Assessment.  Each substandard within the standards are addressed in the portfolio with artifacts and supportive justification and reflection.  The portfolios can be developed in hard copy or in an online format. Graduate Candidates present their portfolios during a Voices with Visions conference scheduled at the conclusion of each semester.

The following documents can be used in the development of the portfolio.

NBPT Standards with Examples

NBPT Standards with Sports Leadership/Coaching Examples

Education Portfolio Rubric

Portfolio Rubric with Substandards