- What are the options for portfolio reviews?
- What is a portfolio?
- What is the purpose of the portfolio review?
- When are portfolio reviews held?
- Who reviews the portfolios?
- What happens at the portfolio review?
- What does a parent/guardian include in a portfolio for a student using an online program?
- What does a parent/guardian include in a portfolio for a student working toward the GED?
- How much work should be included in the portfolio?
- What happens if the portfolio does not have sufficient evidence of instruction?
What are the options for portfolio reviews?
Parents may choose from the following portfolio review options for the June 2024 review cycle (select each option for a full description):
- In-Person Review – Please contact us by Thursday, May 23, 2024,to schedule an in-person portfolio review. Call 443-550-8460 to schedule. In-person reviews will be held on select dates in the BOE multipurpose room located on the 1st floor.
- Participate in a Video Conference–Please contact us by Thursday, May 23, 2024,to schedule a TEAMS teleconference review. We will email you a link for the conference. Be sure to check your spam/junk folders. If you do not have an appointment or don’t remember when it is scheduled, please call us at 443-550-8460.
- Email Official Grade Report or Official Transcript–You do not need to contact us if you email the required documentation no later than Friday, June 7, 2024. Email only pdf, jpeg or Microsoft Office documents (Word, PowerPoint) to portfolioreviews@calvertnet.k12.md.us. We cannot access online links. Parent taught online reports (screenshots and other informal reports) are not accepted.
- Email 3 to 5 Artifacts for Each Subject Area–You do not need to contact us if you email the required documentation no later than Friday, June 7, 2024. Email only pdf, jpeg or Microsoft Office documents (Word, PowerPoint) to portfolioreviews@calvertnet.k12.md.us. We cannot access online links.
- Drop Off the Portfolio–Drop off portfolios no later than Friday, June 7, 2024. One labeled envelope per child. No workbooks, binders or tubs of materials. Please indicate if you want the portfolio shredded or will pick up after the review. A drop box is available at the Main Entrance for labeled envelopes (the drop box will fit envelopes that are up to 2" x 13").
Failure to choose and complete one of the portfolio review options is considered non-compliant with home instruction regulations and requires a child’s immediate enrollment in a public or non-public school.
If none of the above options work for your family, please contact the Department of Student Services at 443-550-8460.
What is a portfolio?
For home schooling, a portfolio is an organized collection of student work and instructional plans for each required subject area. The portfolio is maintained by the parent/guardian and presented to CCPS staff at the end of each semester in order to demonstrate that the student is receiving regular, thorough instruction.
A portfolio includes important instructional materials such as, but not limited to:
- Student writing samples, written assignments, worksheets, etc.
- Assessments (tests/quizzes)
- Projects (research based, multimedia, cross-curricular, creative, etc.)
- List of instructional/reading materials and/or curriculum documents
- Photos of art projects may be submitted to document art
- Dated logs or calendars may be submitted for music and physical education
What is the purpose of the portfolio review?
The portfolio review is required in Maryland to ensure that each child participating in a home instruction program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year, in the studies usually taught in the public schools, to children of the same age.
When are portfolio reviews held?
First semester reviews occur in January. Second semester reviews occur in June.
If none of the above options work for your family, please contact the Department of Student Services at 443-550-8460.
Who reviews the portfolios?
Calvert County Public Schools hire a team of reviewers comprised of current and retired educators. Each reviewer brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the team. The reviewers thoroughly enjoy meeting with the families and share in the joy of the students’ accomplishments each semester.
What happens at the portfolio review?
Regardless of how the portfolio is shared, the reviewer will document the evidence that is provided for each subject area. Notes on the Portfolio Review Form may include the name of the curriculum, textbooks, instructional resources, websites, skills covered, pages numbers of workbooks completed, etc. Once finished, a completed Portfolio Review Form will be sent to the parent/guardian via email. Upon request, a copy can be sent via USPS. If a valid email has not been provided, the Portfolio Review Form will be sent via USPS.
What does a parent/guardian include in a portfolio for a student using an online program?
The expectations of a portfolio review for online programs are the same as home instruction programs that do not incorporate computer work. Most online schools and programs have some form of an official grade/progress report or official transcript to inform parents of a student’s progress. Parents are welcome to submit this official grade report or official transcript as documentation if they so choose. Screenshots and other informal reportswill not be accepted. They may also provide additional samples of the student's work. Online programs, academies, and schools utilized for home instruction in Maryland do not override the state’s regulations.
What does a parent/guardian include in a portfolio for a student working toward the GED?
Children 16 years or over participating in a home instruction program are eligible to register for the General Education Development (GED) test. Parent/guardian may request a GED Verification form from Student Services. Students who have not yet completed their home instruction program or have not yet achieved passing scores in all subjects of the GED test, are required to participate in bi-annual reviews until successful completion or compulsory age (18) of attendance is reached. GED preparation and study materials may be used as evidence of instruction in the four subject areas of the GED tests: English, math, science & social studies.
How much work should be included in the portfolio?
We request 3 to 5 pieces of work per subject area. For a portfolio review, the regularity and thoroughness of the home instruction program are primarily determined by the quantity and quality of the documentation that is provided to the reviewer. Try to provide a sample from the beginning, middle, and end of the semester.
What happens if the portfolio does not have sufficient evidence of instruction?
If a parent/guardian does not provide adequate documentation of the home instruction program, the reviewer will document the deficiencies on the review form. Another portfolio review meeting will be scheduled to provide the opportunity to correct the deficiency within 30 days. If not corrected (or if the parent does not attend the mutually scheduled portfolio review to correct the deficiency), the student must be promptly enrolled in a public or private school.
