Making Sense of Portfolios
The following is quoted from Act 169 of Pennsylvania
Public School Code 13-1327 and describes what a portfolio should contain.
Please familiarize yourself with all of Act 169.
"
(1) At the elementary school level, the following courses shall be taught:
English, to include spelling, reading, and writing; arithmetic; science;
geography; history of the United States and Pennsylvania; civics; safety
education, including regular and continuous instruction in the dangers
and prevention of fires; health and physiology; physical education; music;
and art.
(2) At the secondary school level, the following courses shall be taught:
English, to include language, literature, speech and composition; science;
geography; social studies, to include civics, world history, history
of the United States and Pennsylvania; mathematics, to include general
mathematics, algebra and geometry; art; music; physical education; health
and safety education, including regular and continuous instruction in
the dangers and prevention of fires. Such courses of study may include,
at the discretion of the supervisor of the home education program, economics;
biology; chemistry; foreign languages; trigonometry; or other age-appropriate
courses as contained in Chapter 5 (Curriculum Requirements) of the State
Board of Education.
(d) The following minimum courses in grades nine through twelve are established
as a requirement for graduation in a home education program:
(1) Four years of English. (2) Three years of mathematics. (3) Three
years of science. (4) Three years of social studies. (5) Two years of
arts and the humanities.
(e) In order to demonstrate that appropriate education is occurring,
the supervisor of the home education program shall provide and maintain
on file the following documentation for each student enrolled in the
home education program:
(1) A portfolio of records and materials.
The portfolio shall consist of a log, made contemporaneously with the
instruction, which designates by title the reading materials used, samples
of any writings, worksheets, workbooks or creative materials used or
developed by the student, and in grades three, five, and eight results
of nationally normed standardized achievement tests in reading/language
arts and mathematics or the results of Statewide tests administered in
these grade levels.
The department shall establish a list, with a minimum of five tests,
of nationally normed standardized tests from which the supervisor of
the home education program shall select a test to be administered if
the supervisor does not choose the Statewide tests. At the discretion
of the supervisor, the portfolio may include the results of nationally
normed standardized achievement tests for other subject areas or grade
levels. The supervisor shall ensure that the nationally normed standardized
tests or the Statewide tests shall not be administered by the child's
parent or guardian."
PORTFOLIO:
Contains the log, samples, and test scores for 3rd, 5th or 8th grade.
Act 169 does not elaborate on the subject of samples so there are as
many ways to assemble a portfolio as there are home educators. Some families
use the portfolio as a method of recording memories of the school year
in much the same way a scrapbook is compiled. Others choose to include
a minimum of samples in an envelope. Anything that will hold your log,
samples and test scores is sufficient such as: a three ring binder with
sheet protectors, an envelope, compact disc, folder or report cover.
You have the freedom to make your portfolio as simple or as elaborate
as you wish.
Keep in mind that the purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate progress
to your evaluator. Your evaluator will write a letter or use a form letter,
which states that learning has taken place for the required amount of
time. The superintendent uses your evaluator’s letter to determine
compliance so be sure to select an evaluator who understands your philosophy
and method of home education. It is also wise to choose an evaluator
early in the year and ask what they like to see in a portfolio. Be aware
of what the law requires. It is to your benefit to choose an evaluator
that does not make extra demands for documentation which go over and
above what is required by law.
Overcompliance has set a precedent in many school districts whereby they
expect more than the law requires of all homeschoolers. One way to combat
this tendency is to pare down your portfolio for the school district
if you wish to share more with your evaluator. Some school districts
simply copy the evaluation form or letter and test scores while others
submit your portfolio to their own evaluation. Where you draw the line
on how much documentation to submit to your school district is a decision
you will have to make.
LOG:
You are not required to supply the district with detailed information
about your daily routine. The law states that a log is a "list made
contemporaneously (as you instruct) consisting of the titles of reading
materials used". You may choose to keep more detailed records for
your own benefit, to discuss with your evaluator or in the event that
the district should ever request more documentation.
SAMPLES:
The law does not state that we must include samples for all subjects.
It says "samples of any”. The type and amount of samples you
include will be largely influenced by what your evaluator wants to review
which should be discussed well in advance of your evaluation appointment.
They may wish to see samples from core subjects such as Math, English,
History and Science or they may be quite at ease with reviewing a few
samples. The importance of choosing an evaluator who accepts your educational
philosophy as well as one who will not place excessive demands on you
for copious amounts of documentation, can not be stressed enough.
It is your freedom as a parent and home educator, to use your own discretion
as to when and how subjects are taught. Here are a few examples of documentation
if you choose not to teach every subject out of a textbook: artwork;
booklists; brochures from field trips; your child’s or your own
summaries of people, places and events; and pictures of projects. Textbooks
and/or private lessons do not need to be purchased in order to document
every subject. Having an evaluator who supports your method is by far
the most important key to successful documentation. Your goal is to show
progress in the overall program, in the subjects required, for the time
required, using the method that best fits your child's learning style
and your family's teaching philosophy.
© 2003 Rachel Jones www.phea.net
Home Education Time Table
6/30 - Official end of school year for public school. Deadline to submit
portfolio and evaluation letter to school district.
July - Collect paperwork to file affidavit for upcoming school year
if you did not file with submission of portfolio. You may do this in
person or by certified mail, return receipt.
8/1 - Deadline to submit affidavit to school district for returning
families.
Fall - Choose an evaluator. Find out what they require so you can
plan accordingly.
Consider making arrangements for testing early.
Begin to set aside a few samples of your child’s work in a file
folder or box.
Winter - Begin to assemble first half of portfolio. This makes the
job much easier come June.
Spring - Add more samples to portfolio. Be sure you have an evaluator
lined up and testing completed in testing years.
May - Finish portfolio.
Not a big job since you’ve been working
on it all along.
6/30 - Deadline to submit portfolio to school district. Be sure
to include evaluation letter and
test scores in testing years. Affidavit may be submitted at the same time if
you wish, or at any time prior to 8/1.
© 2003 Rachel Jones for PHEA http://members.truevine.net/pilgrimspage%40truevine.net/Home_Education.htm
|
