PROGRAM PORTFOLIO CONTENT

The program portfolio is one of several assessment tools used in documenting that a teacher candidate has attained program goals and outcomes and met the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice. When used in combination with other assessments in the teacher education program, it can effectively assist prospective teachers in their professional growth.

The process of creating a program portfolio involves the three distinct actions of collecting, selecting, and reflecting: First, a candidate must collect samples of work and visual reminders of learning experiences that might be included in the portfolio. Second, samples of work are selected out of the collection as the best representation of the candidate’s teaching abilities. Finally, the candidates must reflect on the items to be included in the portfolio. This involves documenting why the items selected demonstrate professional growth or expertise in relation to the defined standards. In this way, a portfolio documents growth as a professional and assists the candidate in defining ongoing goals for professional development.

Program portfolios developed for use within the University of Northwestern – St. Paul’s teacher education programs will be housed in Moodle and must include patterns of evidence (referred to as “reflection and work sample”) for meeting program standards. Those work samples are assignments, experiences, and activities that have been completed throughout a candidate’s teacher education program. Such evidences demonstrate successful attainment of the defined standards. Written reflections show how the specific selections have contributed to the candidate’s professional competence. Appendix F provides links to the Standards of Effective Practice and subject matter standards. Candidates demonstrate these standards as defined below.

Standard 1: Knowledge of Subject Matter

Evidence for this standard is provided through a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75, a major field GPA of at least 2.75 and successful completion of all professional courses requiring minimum grades as defined in the University Catalog.

Candidates must also meet the portfolio standards set by their major and minor licensure fields. These standards are available from the Program Coordinator for each licensure program. Links to subject matter standards are provided in Appendix F.

Standards 2 through 10

Evidence for Standards 2 through10 is provided as candidates select their best samples of work and provide appropriate reflection about their growth as professionals in relation to the specific selections. Appendix A provides a list of suggested samples of work that could be used to demonstrate attainment of these standards.