Question: This is my first semester in the Special Education program at ETSU, and I don't have much to put in my portfolio. Do I have to have something in every section the first time I submit my portfolio?

Answer: You are not expected to document every Program Standard the first time your portfolio is submitted. You should try to document your knowledge/skills in at least one or two Program Standards during the first semester you are enrolled in Special Education courses. This will enable faculty to give you feedback on your caption format and quality of documentation.

Question: Can I put in my portfolio documentation that isn't ready to be evaluated yet? How will faculty know what to look at?

Answer: You may put documentation in your portfolio even if it is not ready to be evaluated. On your Portfolio Evaluation form you will put your initials in front of Program Standards that you want to have evaluated. Special Education faculty will evaluate only those areas that have your initials. If you forget to initial, nothing will be evaluated!

Question: I completed a portfolio at Walters State/Northeast State (or another articulation program). Do I have to submit my portfolio again at ETSU?

Answer: Yes. You must have each skill dimension evaluated by ETSU Special Education faculty. The skill dimensions will be evaluated according to the criteria listed in our grading rubric. You may include within your portfolio documentation that was completed at another college or university if it demonstrates you knowledge and skills according to ETSU's criteria.

Question: I started a portfolio at ETSU (or an articulation program), but arranged it according to the College of Education frameworks. Do I have to rearrange my portfolio?

Answer: Yes. Your portfolio should follow the Special Education Program Standards.

Question: I completed a class that has recommended documentation listed on the Portfolio Evaluation Form, but we weren't required do the listed assignment. What am I expected to put in my portfolio?

Answer: For most Program Standards, there are several courses/assignments listed. You can choose documentation from another course. If you still don't have something to submit that is on the “recommended” list, you may submit documentation that is not on the list as long as it documents your knowledge/skills in the Program Standard.

Question: I completed a course project that is very lengthy/bulky (e.g., an Intervention Portfolio). How do I include it in my Special Education Professional Portfolio?

Answer: Include in your portfolio a portion of the project that demonstrates your knowledge/skills in the Program Standard. Within your caption you should state that the documentation included is a portion of a larger project.

Question: I have to work on the day of the portfolio evaluation. Can I leave my portfolio with my advisor? Can I drop off my portfolio but have a friend pick it up for me?

Answer: The Portfolio Evaluation Session is a program requirement, and you are expected to be there in person to receive feedback on your portfolio. Your advisor or other Special Education faculty member will not accept your portfolio prior to the evaluation date. If you absolutely cannot be present on the evaluation day, you should make arrangements with a friend you trust to submit and pick up your portfolio. We will also place a box in room 415 in which you may place your portfolio prior to the evaluation date, but special education faculty will not guarantee or assume responsibility for the safety of your portfolio. In the past a couple of portfolios have been lost (and never recovered) or temporarily misplaced. If you choose to have a friend pick up a portfolio for you, you must include in your portfolio a note that states your permission to release your portfolio to another person.

Question: I know I had my portfolio evaluated at least once before, but I have lost the evaluation form. What should I do?

Answer: Ask your advisor to check in your student folder to see if there is a copy of the evaluation form. If there is no copy in your folder, you will have to start a new evaluation form, and will be required to follow current criteria.

Question: The format for writing a caption has changed since I began my portfolio. Do I need to rewrite all of my captions?

Answer: No. Do not rewrite captions for skill dimensions that have already been evaluated. For subsequent portfolio evaluations, write your captions following the new format.

Question: I completed a portfolio when I attended ETSU as an undergraduate student. Do I have to submit one again as a graduate student?

Answer: If you are adding on an endorsement area, then you need to submit a portfolio that documents your knowledge and skills in the add-on area.

Question: Is a Table of Contents required in the Special Education Portfolio?

Answer: No. You do not need a Table of Contents. Your portfolio should have tabbed dividers to guide the evaluator to the various Program Standard areas.

Question: Do I have to include in my portfolio pictures of students I have worked with? What if students' names are on my documentation? Is this a breach of confidentiality?

Answer: Photographs are not required. Photos of children you have worked with may be included in your portfolio if they support the Program Standard, but please remember that your portfolio is not a scrap book or photo album. Before you take pictures of children in schools, you must receive permission from your mentor teacher. Some schools/programs do not allow you to take photographs. Within your portfolio (and in course assignments) use students' initials or only their first name. If you have documents that have a student's identifying information (e.g., an IEP), you may black out identifying information to maintain confidentiality.

Question: I received a score of “1” on a skill dimension. Do I have to resubmit to receive a “2?”

Answer: A score of “1” is an acceptable, passing score. Your overall cumulative score must meet the minimum criteria prior to student teaching. If you wish to improve your score you may resubmit a caption and/or documentation. Follow the guidelines for resubmission that are provided in the Portfolio Information Packet.

Question: I work (as a teacher, instructional assistant, volunteer, etc.) in a classroom/agency/organization that serves children or youth with special needs. Can I use things that I have done in my work as documentation for my portfolio?

Answer: The Portfolio Information Packet provides suggested portfolio documents, but as long as your documentation meets the special education program standard, you may include in your portfolio documentation from your work or other community activities.

Question: May I submit an electronic portfolio?

Answer: Yes, you may submit a web-based portfolio or portfolio on a CD. All files included in your electronic version should be in pdf format, Microsoft word, or other format that will allow evaluation without downloading special software. Your electronic portfolio must be logically organized, and arranged according to the special education program standards.