General

Candidates from almost every state submit their portfolios for scoring. Too many regional differences exist for assessors to know state-specific information presented in Written Commentaries. If candidates refer to these items in the Written Commentary, it is strongly suggested they spell them out in order to avoid confusion and to facilitate the scoring process.

The tracking requirements were established to give teachers the opportunity to demonstrate the broadest range of their teaching practice. This would not be possible if all entries focused on the same students, lesson and unit of study. The rule states that each one of the classroom-based entries must be supported by different lessons or units. In other words, no student work samples can be taken from a unit or lesson that is featured in either of the other entries. The students chosen should represent different kinds of instructional challenges for you. The Entry Tracking Form is included in Part 1: General Portfolio Instructions, page 1-58 to keep a record of the selections you make as you complete your classroom-based portfolio entries.

The NBPTS definition of "unit" is a section of an academic course based on selected themes or concepts. A unit may correspond to a chapter in a text, or may be thematically based.

It is up to the candidate to decide if his/her entries are being supported by different units or lessons. NBPTS recognizes that many candidates support long instructional periods with the same unit/lesson. In this case, "units" are divided into different divisions. These divisions would constitute an entirely separate unit or lesson and it would be acceptable for the candidate to feature these separate divisions in one or more of the classroom-based entries.

The Contextual Information sheet is a "brief" description of your whole school and could share information on the district if critical. Information about the candidate's classes or students will be included in the written commentary.

Yes. The current NBPTS Student Release Form only mentions that "your child may appear on the video" or to "submit samples of student work", but you will also need an NBPTS Student Release Form or Adult Release Form for any student or adult whose image is evident in a photograph. In the event you cannot obtain a signed release form, the image must be completely blocked or cut out of the photo. A video may not be submitted unless you have release forms for everyone appearing in the video. An image in a video may not be blocked or blurred because this would be considered editing. NBPTS may request the original NBPTS release forms as part of our audit process.

The home address is preferred. However, if the parent or adult that signs the release form does not want to provide their home address for reasons of privacy, they are welcome to use the school address. If NBPTS should need to verify their signature, the parent or adult will be reached through the school.

Candidates should use classes from their rostered day during the school year, with the exception of music classes and other scheduled classes which may be required by the school or district. Summer school-classes and after-school classes should not be used.