National School Reform Faculty

Call for help
Date: January 7-8, 2004
Listserv: Coaches

Wednesday, January 7, 2004 5:31 PM
I sent e-mail at the start of the new year and got no responses. I am trying to compile a list of schools that do exhibition or portfolio assessments for graduation, or promotion to the next level school year or course. If any of you coaches work at a school that do these please send me the name of the school and the state. I might get duplicates and that is ok. Please respond, it is for my dissertation. I am using lots of resources to compile this list, and it is slow going!
Lisa, Arizona

Wednesday, January 7, 2004 8:01 PM
Rivendell Academy, Orford,NH , a 6-12 grade interstate, public school uses portfolios, personal learning plans, eighth grade exhibitions, Certificate of Initial Mastery(end of Gr. 10) and then Senior Project as exit piece for grade 12. We have coaches and CFG groups k-12. I hope this is of help.
Please call or write.
Noelle, New Hampshire

Wednesday, January 7, 2004 10:02 PM
We do Graduation By Exhibition, and have for a number of years here at the Alternative Community School in Ithaca, New York. The details can be found (or will be available soon) on our website www.icsd.k12.ny.us/acs
Dave, New York

Thursday, January 8, 2004 8:23 AM
Lisa,
At the Parker Charter Essential School in Devens, Ma. our students are promoted from division to division on the basis of portfolio/performance, and exhibition and an established set of Criteria for Excellence. Graduation by portfolio and Senior Exhibition ( culmination of a year long inquiry/research/investigation)-- this final exhibition is juried. All assessments are narrative. Most of our program is documented on our website: www.parker.org.
Good luck!
Teri, Massachusettes

Thursday, January 8, 2004 9:33 AM
Lisa,
The Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning in Denver has used portfolios as it's primary means of assessment for the last 10 years. Student present their work at the end of 3rd, 5th, 8th and 12th grade to panels consisting of teachers and outside community members. The criteria for passage are defined within content areas, as demonstration of specific skill (reading and writing), through character, service and adventure. The 12th grade includes a Senior Expedition which consists of a 8 to 12 week "solo" where student design and participate in their own expedition.
Good luck.
Jonathan, Colorado

Thursday, January 8, 2004 9:47 AM
I suggest writing to the NYPSC, 317 E. 67th Street, NY NY 10021. Ann Cook, Don Freeman or Martha Foote has access to the NY schools that do this work.
Marian, New York

Thursday, January 8, 2004 10:33 AM
Lisa,
Harmony School in Bloomington, IN has this type of assignment. You might want to read my book, Elementary Schooling for Critical Democracy, which is ethnography of this school. There is also an IU dissertation on the high school by Jeff Kuzmic.
Jesse, Indiana

Thursday, January 8, 2004 11:53 AM
Along with the Parker, most of the Boston Pilot Schools - including at least one K-8 school, do performance examinations - for culminative assessments and gateways to graduation. See www.ccebos.org - Boston Pilot Schools, and New England Small Schools Network. Off the top of my head, these include Young Achievers Science and Math K-8, Boston Arts Academy, Fenway, New Mission, Egleston, and Harbor Middle, and maybe the Mission school (K-8). There may be more.
Karen, Massachusettes