Expectations

The “developing portfolio” is the second portfolio in the Luther College Portfolio System.  The learning documented by this portfolio is “beginning application.”  “Create a new portfolio”: candidates need to be sure they are using the appropriate “developing portfolio.”

In 300-level methods courses candidate apply their learning from a variety of courses and other experiences.  Candidates have opportunities to demonstrate application level learning with activities ready for, but not used in, “the real world” (3-level demonstration of learning) and with activities actually used in the “real world” (4-level demonstration of learning).  They begin to realize what they know and do not yet know.  With faculty guidance, candidates choose artifacts for the “developing portfolio” from their 300-level courses and clinical experience(s).   Satisfactory completion of the “Developing Portfolio” is required before a student may student teach.

Included in the “developing portfolio” are the following parts:

·         Educational Autobiography: The candidate reviews his or her “educational autobiography” in his or her “introductory portfolio” in order to synthesis that narrative.  The candidate adds a description of the particularly important opportunities and experiences on his or her path toward becoming a teacher since the completion of the “introductory portfolio.”

·         Philosophy Statement: “This I believe…”    The candidate will revise or rewrite what he or she wrote for the “introductory portfolio.”

·         Clinical Placements: This list will include the candidate’s most recent placement first (methods clinical placement) and the ED 185/215 placement second.  [The most recent placement always is listed first.]  Include dates; school name, teacher name, subject(s); grade(s).

·         Reflection Statement: The candidate reflects on his or her development towards the goal of being a licensed teacher, focusing on his or her learning and insights since the completion of the “introductory portfolio.”  The candidate shows evidence of having revisited his or her “introductory portfolio” reflection statement.

The “developing portfolio” must be completed satisfactorily no later than the last day of exams in the semester the candidate completes his or her sequence of methods courses.

·         The candidate submits each competency for assessment to the professor with whom the candidate worked with respect to the artifact activity.  In most cases, this professor will be the methods professor.

·         No later than the last day of exams, earlier if the methods professor chooses an earlier date, the candidate must share a link with the methods professor so the methods professor can review and evaluate the entire portfolio. 

The methods professor will give the candidate feedback to guide the candidate as he or she anticipates student teaching and the “advanced portfolio.”  Occasionally another professor, most likely the assessment coordinator, will review a candidate’s developing portfolio and documents its satisfactory completion.

The satisfactory completion of the “developing portfolio” is a prerequisite for student teaching.  A candidate will not be allowed to begin student teaching without the documented completion of this portfolio.  In such instances, the field placement officer will notify the cooperating teacher of the delayed start for student teaching.