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I wrote to the organization:

Attn:  Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO, 

Learning Policy Institute  

Hello

I'm looking for 

model state legislative language to promote alternative assessment and portfolios.

I've heard that both Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have rules or procedures to allow portfolios to be used in assessing students.

Can a student get a high school diploma through portfolios?   What state laws might allow that?

I'm seeking legislation to propose to my state legislator.

Steve McCrea

She wrote me a reply within 24 hours.  Please support her organization with your "one click"....

Hi Steve,

Rhode Island has legislation that authorizes graduation by portfolio for all students.  Here’s a summary of their latest iteration.   http://www.ride.ri.gov/studentsfamilies/ripublicschools/diplomasystem.aspx#16441117-performance-assessments

Because of recent politics they have added test options but the portfolios remain.  We can dig up the original legislation if that would be helpful to you and could potentially work on some model legislation. 

In New Hampshire, graduation is a local decision, so I don’t believe there is state legislation, even though many districts are using performance assessments or portfolios.

Let’s stay in touch.

Regards, Linda

THIS IS WHAT THE RHODE ISLAND LANGUAGE LOOKS LIKE

Graduation requirements are set at a level to provide students the skills and knowledge to successfully enter and complete a rigorous post-secondary academic or technical program, join the military, and/or obtain a job that leads to a rewarding and viable career. The RI Board of Regents through the Secondary Regulations set the minimum requirements for earning a RI high school diploma including:

• Demonstrated proficiency in 6 core areas (English Language Arts, math, science, social studies, the Arts and technology)
• Successful completion of 20 courses (at a minimum)
• Completion of 2 performance assessments (exhibitions, portfolios and/or comprehensive course assessments)

Districts may include additional expectations or requirements such as additional coursework requirements, a level of proficiency on the state assessments or community service learning.

Districts are required to communicate specific graduation expectations to families and students prior to the start of the ninth grade.

 Diploma System - All Students Ready for College, Careers, and Success in Life 

Performance Assessments

Performance assessments (or Diploma Assessments) are one of the three requirements for demonstrating readiness for graduation.  Students are required to complete two Diploma Assessments chosen by the district or school (student portfolios, exhibitions and/ or comprehensive course assessments).  

While two particular types of performance assessments are required for graduation purposes, performance assessments include common tasks, comprehensive end of course tasks, diploma assessments, and other “authentic” assessments. Performance assessments allow students to demonstrate, at a more comprehensive and increased cognitive level, the application of content learned through coursework.  Performance assessments are a regular part of curriculum, instruction and assessment practices. 

Scaling Up PBG - NEW

Scaling Up PBG is a network of Rhode Island secondary schools that participate in a powerful professional development experience, working collaboratively to develop and implement quality common performance assessments as part of the state’s Proficiency-based Graduation Requirements policy (PBGR). Scaling Up PBG is a partnership between RIDE and the Center for Collaborative Education’s Quality Performance Assessment program.

Over the course of 18 months (June 2015-December 2016), Scaling Up PBG will provide professional development opportunities for:

• Four Demonstration high schools with strong capacity in implementing PBGR (Blackstone Valley Prep High School, Cumberland High School, Mt. Hope High School, and The Greene School);
• Twelve Practicing high schools to deepen their existing practices in implementing PBGR, including Block Island School, Burrillville High School, Central High School, Classical High School, Cranston High School West, Highlander, Hope High School, Juanita Sanchez Complex, Opportunity by Design @ Hope, Paul Cuffee Upper School, Providence Career & Technical Academy, and Sheila Nowell Leadership Academy); and
• All RI public secondary schools that self-select targeted professional development opportunities to strengthen their PBG efforts.

Scaling Up PBG enables participating schools and educators to move their PBG work forward and deepen professional learning through collaboration and sharing of best practices. A collection of validated performance assessments will be made available to educators across Rhode Island at the completion of the Scaling Up PBG initiative.

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