the early childhood education program portfolio manual · the early childhood education program...

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The Early Childhood Education

Program Portfolio Manual

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

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Portfolio FAQ’s

What is the Early Childhood Education portfolio?

The ECE portfolio is documentation of the growth in your knowledge and thinking during your

course of study in the Early Childhood Education associate degree program at Northeast

Wisconsin Technical College. The portfolio is organized in a manner that provides clear

evidence of your growth. In essence, the portfolio is the story of your experiences and reflections

in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Why do I need a portfolio?

The portfolio process is a way to provide a comprehensive collection of your work to show how

you have met the six (6) outcomes of the early childhood education associate degree program.

The portfolio gives you a forum to reflect on your learning experiences throughout your college

and professional career. This is your opportunity to showcase your best work, skills, progress,

and development as an early childhood professional. The portfolio will be presented prior to

graduation and will serve as a document that you can use to market yourself as you progress in

your early childhood or educational career.

What is an artifact?

An artifact is a sample of your work. It may be work you have done previously in your

education or work experience, but most commonly is an assignment from a core course in the

Early Childhood Education association degree program. It should be an assignment that was

particularly meaningful to you.

How many artifacts must I include in my portfolio?

You will need to include artifacts that indicate how you have met the criteria in each of the

program outcomes. There is not a specific answer for how many artifacts must be included.

Your portfolio will be assessed according to how well the artifacts included show that you have

met the program outcomes.

How will I select my artifact?

Your artifact should be an assignment or evidence of your work that was particularly meaningful

to you. You will need at least one artifact for each of the ECE Program Outcomes. Select an

artifact that you feel strongly represents a particular outcome and criteria.

What is a reflection? A reflection is your personal statement about your work. This is your opportunity to think about

your learning, your work, and your professionalism.

Composition of your Portfolio

You will need to provide your own appropriately sized binder, divider tabs in the

required sequence, a table of contents, and the Early Childhood Education Program

Portfolio Manual. We recommend a professional looking type of binder such as a faux

leather or leather style that zips around or fastens somehow to protect your work.

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As you begin to develop your portfolio, strive to make it creative and attractive with

written work that is clear, legible, descriptive, and grammatically correct without spelling

errors. This does not mean you must use scrapbooking techniques or be artistic; rather,

you should make it a reflection of yourself as an individual while following the

guidelines in the ECE Program Portfolio Manual.

To help you prepare, the items below will help you to become familiar with the required

format.

Required Sequence:

Title Page - for contact information; including your name, address, phone number, and email

address

Table of Contents - for clear organization

Introduction to your portfolio

Autobiography – give a brief overview of your educational history (full time or part time

student, a transfer student, adult learner, new career, etc.) and what led you to the early

childhood education profession. This should be 1-2 pages in length.

Resume-include an updated resume that is no more than 2 pages.

Current Registry Certificate

Include your current Registry certificate. Once your final grades have been posted after

graduation, you will want to get an updated certificate. If you are not currently on the Registry,

go to the Registry website http://www.the-registry.org/, print out and include the completed

application form in the binder.

Transcripts

You may use an unofficial transcript. However, you will want to order an official transcript when

your program courses are completed. http://nwtc.edu/services/Admissions-

Registration/StudentRecords-Resources/Pages/TranscriptRequest.aspx

Professional Memberships

Copies of membership card(s) or other documentation to show you belong to a professional

association (NAEYC, WECA, Local ECE Affiliates, etc.). Belonging to a professional

organization is one hallmark of professionalism; and is an excellent way to stay current and

network with colleagues in early childhood education.

Statement of Beliefs or Philosophy

This should be your personal statement of your beliefs, your values, and priorities on teaching

and working with young children and families.

http://www.the-registry.org/

http://nwtc.edu/services/Admissions-Registration/StudentRecords-Resources/Pages/TranscriptRequest.aspx

http://nwtc.edu/services/Admissions-Registration/StudentRecords-Resources/Pages/TranscriptRequest.aspx

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Video Footage

Video clips (DVD or electronic format) of you working with children. This may be a video you

submitted for a course, one that your cooperating teacher helped you produce, or one that your

instructor provided to you after observing you in a practicum placement.

Artifacts (Work Samples) and Reflections

An artifact is a sample of your work. Artifacts will be selected from coursework or

documentation of work experience that shows how you have met the program outcome criteria.

Artifacts will be included to demonstrate how you meet each program outcome and

criteria.

There will be several artifacts, each with a reflection.

The reflection will describe how the artifact demonstrates that you have met the program

outcome.

Artifacts may be from the NWTC ECE program; however, they may be from another

course from another college or previous or current work experience as well.

Each of the criteria under each program outcome must be met through an artifact or

artifacts.

Video footage of you at work or in practicum must be included in the portfolio.

What is a reflection?

A reflection is your personal statement about your work. This is your opportunity to think about

your learning/work/professionalism as a culminating experience. Your reflection should:

Explain the connection between the artifact and the program outcome.

Reflections will include your response to the following questions

What is the artifact? (Is it a photo, video, work experience/document, an

assignment-from which course? etc.)

Which program outcome does it match?

Which criteria does it match? (You might have one artifact for each criterion or

the artifact might match all criteria for that program outcome.)

Discuss what the program outcome and your artifact means to you - why you selected it.

Compare your thinking before you took the course and after you took the course - how

did your practice and your thinking as an educator change?

Practicum Summary

You will write a detailed 2 – 3 page summary discussing your practicum experiences in the two

year program.

Core Ability Summary

You will write a summary analyzing how you have met the NWTC Core Abilities. Using core

ability; write approximately one paragraph describing how you have met that core ability. Give

examples of behaviors and knowledge that you have gained that demonstrate your core ability

attainment. The seven core abilities that NWTC has adopted are listed below.

1. Communicate Effectively

2. Think Critically & Creatively

3. Work Cooperatively and Professionally

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4. Solve Problems Effectively

5. Value Individual Differences & Abilities

6. Demonstrate Personal Accountability

7. Demonstrate Community & Global Accountability

Closing Statement

The student will write a 1-3 page summary of her/his learning experience at NWTC.

Focal points for the summary:

How the NWTC education has changed your early childhood practice.

The growth you have seen in yourself as a professional.

The experiences at NWTC that were the most influential in your growth.

Your goals as you move forward in your career as an early childhood educator.

Your thoughts on the portfolio process.

You may include interviews, photos, video clips, audio clips, children's creations, or any other

documentation that you feel will enhance your portfolio and the reader's understanding of your

growth.

Here is a list of possible artifacts you might select to include for each Program Outcome:

(You do not have to include all of these documents. Notice that some documents may fit into

more than one outcome or criterion. You will choose the artifact and the criterion it best

matches. You may include other artifacts that are not on this list, such as materials you created

for your workplace, or coursework at another institution. This list is intended to provide

suggestions and ideas to help you select the best artifacts to showcase your own educational

growth.)

ECE 1 APPLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT THEORY TO PRACTICE

a. You utilize developmental theory and assessment information to inform practice

Child Development – Theory Comparison Chart

Curriculum Planning – LP1 Curriculum Analysis Chart

Guiding – Temperament Assessment

Practicum 4 – Child Portfolio

b. You correlate the relationship between play and learning

Child Development – LP2 Analyze Development

Curriculum Planning – LP2 Defense of Play discussion board post

Curriculum Planning – LP2 Observing Play

Practicum 4 – Lead Week Plans and taking on role as teacher

c. You summarize child development theories and best practices based on research

Child Development – Theory Comparison Chart

Infant Toddler Development – LP3 Child Development Theories discussion post


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ECE 2 CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN, FAMILY, AND THE COMMUNITY

a. You utilize effective communication strategies (oral, written, graphic, nonverbal)

Practicum 1 - LP-2 Student Teacher Introduction Letter

Practicum 2 - Cooperating Teacher Evaluation

Family and Community Relationships – Family Newsletter

Differing Abilities – Interview with Families

b. You use knowledge of family and community characteristics in developing

respectful, reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships

Curriculum Planning – LP7 Anti-Bias Activities, LP7 Holiday Celebration

Infant Toddler Development – LP9 Cultural Sensitivity Discussion post, LP9

Cultural Awareness Exercise

c. You plan family involvement strategies to enhance children’s development and

learning

Family & Community Relationships – LP3 Newsletter

Family & Community Relationships – LP3 Design Parent Notice - discussion

Practicum 2 – LP11 Weekly Plan

Practicum 4 – Parent Activity

d. You access community resources to support and empower families

Family & Community Relationships – LP6 Community Resource File

Various Sources

e. You model appropriate interpersonal skills with children and families

All Practicum – Evaluations


f. You initiate and foster positive relationships with children and adults

Family & Community Relationships – LP4 Conference Portfolio

All Practicum – Evaluations

Various Sources

ECE 3 ASSESS CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

a. You objectively document children’s behavior

Child Development – LP2 Flexible, Fearful, Feisty -Social Dev questions



Infant Toddler Development – LP6 Observations

Practicum 1 - LP 6 Observations (Anecdotal and Running Record)

Practicum 2 – LP6 Observations

Practicum 3 – Developmental Profile Assessment

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b. You analyze children’s development


Family & Community Relationships – LP4 Child Portfolio


Infant Toddler Development – LP6 Observations

Practicum 2 – LP6 Observations

Practicum 2 – LP11 Individualizing Plans

Practicum 3 – Final Developmental Assessment Project


c. You use assessment responsibly to positively influence children’s development and

learning


Practicum 3-Child Observations, Brainstorming, & Activities

Practicum 4 – Child Portfolio, Lead Week Plans & taking on role as teacher

ECE 4 USE BEST PRACTICES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING

a. You plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities across domains

Art/Music/Lang. Arts – Book Planning Assessment

Curriculum Planning – LP5 Activity Plans

Curriculum Planning – LP6 Unit Plan

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP9 Activity Plans

Practicum 1 – LP7 Stories, Fingerplays, Art, Music/Movement

Practicum 2 – LP11 Weekly Plan

Family & Community Relationships – Evaluations


Practicum 4 – Activity Plan Assessment

b. You provide culturally responsive materials and activities



Curriculum Planning – LP7 Anti-Bias Activities

Curriculum Planning – LP7 Holiday Celebration

Family & Community Relationships – LP7 Anti-Bias Celebration

Family & Community Relationships – LP7 Discussion – Culturally Safe

Programs



Summary Of Current Or Work Practices & Procedures At Workplace

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c. You adapt activities to meet children’s individual needs




Differing Abilities – Adaptation of Puzzle & Book

Practicum 2 – LP11 Individualizing Plans

Practicum 3- Activity Plans




d. You apply play-based curriculum

Curriculum Planning – LP2 Prop Box description





e. You use developmentally appropriate care giving routines as curriculum


Practicum 2 – LP5 Conducting Routines

Family & Community Relationships – Evaluations

Practicum 3- Activity Plans

Practicum 3- Goals & Objectives



f. You incorporate positive guidance techniques


Guiding – Observation of Student Assessment

Guiding – Guiding Policies

Anecdotes from Any Practicum

g. You plan developmentally appropriate environments

Art/Music/Lang. Arts – Anti-Bias Observation

Curriculum Planning – LP4 Environment Plans



Service Learning Environment Set Up

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ECE 5 DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONALISM

a. You adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Administration – LP7 Outline Financial Components of ECE Program

Practicum 2 – LP3 Code of Conduct Discussion

Practicum 3- Summary of Understanding

Practicum 4 – Lead Week Plans and Taking On Role As Teacher

b. You adhere to professional workplace behaviors (i.e. attire, preparedness,

confidentiality)

Administration – LP5 Develop/Review Policies

Foundations – LP6 Functional Abilities

Foundations – LP9 Presentation Portfolio

Practicum 1, 2, 3, & 4– Evaluations

c. You advocate for the early childhood profession

Differing Abilities – Inclusion Classroom Paper

Family & Community Relationships – LP5 Advocacy Project & Summary

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP8 Child Abuse & Neglect, Job Aid, Wow Moment


d. You advocate for all children and families

Family & Community Relationships – LP5 Advocacy Project & Summary

Family & Community Relationships-Family Resource List and Service Learning



e. You collaborate with others

Administration – LP7 Interview Director, LP6 Interview Board Member, LP7

Investigate Community Tuition, Salaries, Insurance Quote

Family & Community Relationships – LP6 Community Resource File

Practicum Communication With Cooperating Teacher (write summary)

f. You use reflective practices

Administration – LP2 Three Concept Reflection

Guiding – Self-Reflection – Caregiving Style

Family & Community Relationships – Reflective Journals

Practicum Activities & Conversation with Instructor

Practicum 1, 2, 3, & 4 – Reflective Journals & Self Evaluations

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ECE 6 Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices

a. You recognize your role as a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse & neglect

Foundations – LP6 Discussion Child Abuse Findings

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP8 Child Abuse & Neglect, Job Aid, Wow Moment

b. You demonstrate or provide documentation of training in prevention strategies for

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)

SIDS & SBS Certificate

c. You provide/contribute to a healthy and safe environment

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP3 Regulations Critique, LP4 Safety Checklist, LP6

Outline, LP6 Medical Log


Practicum 1 – LP5 Care of Room Environment, LP6 Playground Rating Scale

Practicum 2 – LP5 Care of Classroom Checklist

Practicum 3- Midterm & Final Cooperating Teacher Evaluations



d. You adhere to state licensing rules

Administration – LP5 Review of Center Policies Using Licensing Standards

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP3 Regulations Critique



e. You plan nutritious meals and snacks

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP6 Menu Plan, LP9 Activity Plans



f. You follow standard sanitation practices

Health/Safety/Nutrition – LP6 Outline



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Early Childhood Education Program Portfolio

Scoring Guide

Student/Graduation Name: ______________________________________________ Date: __________________________________ Term: ________________________ Scoring Standard You must achieve a rating of “Met” on at least 80% of criteria to demonstrate competence.

Rating Scale Met: is complete and includes all required elements Mostly Met: is mostly complete, some of the required elements may be missing or incomplete Not Met: is not yet complete, with many of the elements missing, and/or requires further revisions

Scoring Guide Criteria Reviewer Ratings Comments

PORTFOLIO STRUCTURE

Portfolio construction and appearance

is sturdy, neat, attractive, professional,

and organized as indicated.

Portfolio is work completed on a word

processor or computer using a 10-12

point font.

Cover page includes: Name, Address,

Phone, E-mail

Second page includes: Table of

Contents

Current Registry Certificate (or

application form)

Transcripts (most recent copy of

unofficial transcript)

Professional Memberships (or

application)

Portfolio includes sections with

dividers labeled for each of the topics

listed in the Table of Contents

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

Yes No

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Each section included in the Table of

Contents has a title page introducing

the section

Name and Early Childhood Education

Program Portfolio is on outside of

portfolio

Yes No

Yes No

.Autobiography (1-2 pages)

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Resume (1-2 pages)

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Statement of Professional Beliefs or

Philosophy

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Video footage (on CD Rom/DVD, stick

drive, etc.)

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Artifacts for each program outcome are

included

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Reflection is included for each artifact, and

explains how each artifact demonstrates

learner has met the program outcome

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Practicum Summary (2-3 pages)

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Core Ability Summary

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

Closing Statement (1-3 pages)

Met

Mostly Met

Not Met

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Early Childhood Education Program Summative Assessment Wisconsin Technical College System

Directions

This summative assessment scoring guide will be used to determine if you have met the program outcomes at the end of the ECE program. To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. This scoring guide may be used to evaluate your work at your practicum site, the portfolio you have developed, or both. Your instructor will provide detailed instructions on the tool(s) used. After your instructor completes this scoring guide, you will receive feedback on your performance including your areas of accomplishment and areas that need improvement.

Program Outcomes

ECE 1. Apply child development theory to practice

ECE 2. Cultivate relationships with children, family, and the community

ECE 3. Assess child growth and development

ECE 4. Use best practices in teaching and learning

ECE 5. Demonstrate professionalism

ECE 6. Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices

Rating Scale

MET Performs adequately, meets basic standards

NOT MET Little or no evidence of meeting basic standards

Scoring Standard You must achieve a rating of MET on all criteria for each program outcome to demonstrate competence (passing). A rating of NOT MET on any criterion results in a NOT MET score for that program outcome and for the TSA Assessment.

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SCORING GUIDE

Program Outcomes and Criteria

ECE 1. Apply child development theory to practice

a. you utilize developmental theory and assessment information to inform practice

Met Not Met

b. you correlate the relationship between play and learning Met Not Met

c. you summarize child development theories and best practices based on research

Met Not Met

COMMENTS:

ECE 2. Cultivate relationships with children, family, and the community

a. you utilize effective communication strategies (oral, written, graphic, nonverbal)

Met Not Met

b. you use knowledge of family and community characteristics in developing respectful, reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships

Met Not Met

c. you plan family involvement strategies to enhance children's development and learning

Met Not Met

d. you access community resources to support and empower families Met Not Met

e. you model appropriate interpersonal skills with children and families Met Not Met

f. you initiate and foster positive relationships with children and adults Met Not Met

COMMENTS:

ECE 3. Assess child growth and development

a. you objectively document children's behavior Met Not Met

b. you analyze children's development Met Not Met

c. you use assessment responsibly to positively influence children’s development and learning

Met Not Met

COMMENTS:

ECE 4. Use best practices in teaching and learning

a. you plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities across domains

Met Not Met

b. you provide culturally responsive materials and activities Met Not Met

c. you adapt activities to meet children's individual needs Met Not Met

d. you apply play-based curriculum Met Not Met

e. you use developmentally appropriate care giving routines as curriculum

Met Not Met

f. you incorporate positive guidance techniques Met Not Met

g. you plan developmentally appropriate environments Met Not Met

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SCORING GUIDE

Program Outcomes and Criteria

COMMENTS:

ECE 5. Demonstrate professionalism

a. you adhere to the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Met Not Met

b. you adhere to professional workplace behaviors (i.e. attire, preparedness, confidentiality)

Met Not Met

c. you advocate for the early childhood profession Met Not Met

d. you advocate for all children and families Met Not Met

e. you collaborate with others Met Not Met

f. you use reflective practices Met Not Met

COMMENTS:

ECE 6. Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices

a. you recognize your role as a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse and neglect

Met Not Met

b. you demonstrate or provide documentation of training in prevention strategies for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)

Met Not Met

c. you provide/contribute to a healthy and safe environment Met Not Met

d. you adhere to state licensing rules Met Not Met

e. you plan nutritious meals and snacks Met Not Met

f. you follow standard sanitation practices Met Not Met

COMMENTS:

Overall Score

TSA Assessment Score:

PASS FAIL

Note: Each program outcome and the over-all requirements must earn a rating of “Met” to achieve an over-all score of “Pass” on the assessment.

Student Name: ID #:

Evaluator Signature: Date:

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