WHAT IT IS | WHAT IT CONTAINS | WHY IT’S VALUABLE | SAMPLE | FOR MORE INFORMATION
		MATHEMATICS STANDARDS ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO A tool teachers and students use to keep track of student progress toward meeting mathematics standards Developed by Long Beach Unified School District

WHAT IT IS

The portfolio is a tool that helps teachers and students use several forms of assessment throughout the school year to keep track of student progress toward mathematics standards.

WHAT IT CONTAINS

The portfolio contents are kept in a folder that has printed on it a list of what it should contain next to check boxes to indicate which items have been added to the folder.

The portfolio contains graded student work and a Math Learning Record, in which students organize notes that help them study for a final exam.

Another component is the results of the district Open-Ended Mathematics (OEM) test. To create these classroom-specific tests, teachers select questions from a district database of performance-based, standards-based items for their grade level. Students take three OEM tests during a school year and record their best OEM score in the portfolio.

WHY IT’S VALUABLE

In every grade level that has used the portfolio, students showed improved scores on the state's achievement test (SAT-9). The portfolios, and the OEM tests in particular, "make it really clear what we want kids to know at each grade level," says Dixie Dawson, mathematics curriculum leader for Long Beach Unified School District. "With this clarity, teachers make sure they give assignments that help students master the content called for in the standards and the assessments."

The primary purpose of the portfolio, says Dawson, is that "students become accountable for their own learning." Compared to traditional assessments, students sometimes think the portfolio looks "messy," explains Dawson. But the portfolios do help students identify areas in which they need to improve.

It's also a useful tool for administrators; when visiting classrooms, they can look at the portfolios and talk with teachers and students about what's in them and what they show about student progress.

SAMPLE

Visit the Mathematics section of LBUSD's Web site to learn more or download a pdf version (requires Adobe Acrobat) of the grade 8 portfolio here.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about how the portfolio was developed and how district administrators worked with teachers to help them use the portfolios in their classrooms, contact Dixie Dawson, mathematics curriculum leader in LBUSD (e-mail: ddawson@lbusd.k12.ca.us, phone: 562-997-8000 x2962).