To show change over time

• Beginning and ending pieces of work/tests/writing drafts
• Essays or journals on reflections of growth or goals

To track the development of a skill

• Pieces of reflecting development of a specific skill
• List of goals and reflections on advancement toward them
• Essays identifying strengths and weaknesses

To gauge levels of performance

• Drafts of the specific item or performance being tracked
• Reflections on drafts
• Feedback from instructors or peers

To identify strengths or weaknesses

• Pieces of work representing identified strengths and weaknesses
• Reflections on work samples
• Goal lists and reflections on progress

To present semester-end accomplishments

• Examples of best work
• Test scores and other important grades
• Awards and other recognitions
• Earlier and later works to show progress
• Earlier and later instructor and peer feedback

To present examples of best work for employment of admissions

• Cover letter
• Examples of best work
• Reflective pieces on growth and skills
• Instructor and peer feedback
• Descriptions of what skills and knowledge examples represent

To present discernment of most important or favorite work

• Examples of student’s favorite work
• Student reflections on why it is their favorite work
• Student reflections on what was learned
• Comments on strengths and weaknesses of work
• Instructor and peer feedback

To record student achievement for grading

• Works on each topic/subject graded
• Examples of work demonstrating achievement of grade level/goals
• Tests and scores
• Student reflections of how the samples indicate certain levels of achievement
• Instructor and peer feedback

To record progress

• List of goals and standards
• Examples of work paralleling goals and standards
• Criteria for evaluating work
• Instructor feedback on attainment of goals and standards
• Student analysis of progress made toward goals during the semester or year

To use as a placement test

• Samples of current work reflecting abilities
• Earlier work samples showing progress
• Test scores from class or external agencies
• Self and instructor reflections on student aptitudes
• Other professional reflections on student aptitudes