Grades 6 through 12
“What was once educationally significant, but difficult to measure, has been replaced by what is insignificant and easy to measure. So now we test how well we have taught what we do not value.”
–Dr. Arthur L. Costa, emeritus professor,
California State University, Sacramento
When you think about it, our lives from now into forever will rely on fewer rote operations, predigested scripts, linear procedures, brute strength, past experience and things memorized. Even now, just living through one day requires problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, persistence, skepticism, empathy, metacognition, precision, curiosity, humor and a finely honed ability to communicate with others. If you’ve spent much time on this web site, it won’t surprise you that we think a portfolio is a darn good place to show what students can do, and a good place to show what we – and they – and intelligent folks anywhere – value.
The sample student profile included in the Grady Profile Demo contains a number of examples of artifacts by middle and high school students. For a more extensive example, be sure to download the Secondary Level (Grades 6 - 12) sample profile as well.
Students in 6-12 are capable computer-users. Make the electronic portfolio part of their personal record-keeping system and give them responsibility for adding their work – drawings, writings, speeches, skits – to their own portfolios.
Of course, it’s not a portfolio without a reflective piece on each artifact. Teach them how to reflect and watch them grow intellectually.
