I am looking into this further and I have contacted NCATE http://www.ncate.org/ to see if they can shed some light on this subject for me. Here is the info I found interesting, stating that portfolios are NOT required:
Does NCATE require digital portfolios?
No. The NCATE standards do not require the use of digital portfolios; however, they do make effective use of technology in instruction a central requirement for teacher preparation programs for both faculty and teacher candidates. NCATE Standard 6 requires that the teacher preparation unit provides adequate campus and school facilities to support candidates in meeting standards. NCATE Standard 1 requires teacher candidates to demonstrate that they are able to “facilitate student learning of the subject matter…through the integration of technology.” (One way to demonstrate this could be through artifacts in candidates’ teaching portfolios.) NCATE Standard 5 requires faculty to demonstrate that they are able to integrate diversity and technology throughout their teaching. Regarding the school of education’s facilitation of professional development, Standard 5 also mandates that “the unit provides opportunities for faculty to develop new knowledge and skills” in areas including technology.
Also, according to NCATE Standard 2, institutions are expected to use technology to maintain their assessment systems, though how complex an undertaking this is varies with how many programs are in the unit. Some institutions are moving toward electronic portfolios in which candidates can demonstrate their mastery of proficiencies. Also, more institutions are making some or all of their exhibits for the Board of Examiners (BOE) visit itself available electronically. This facilitates the work of the BOE team when they can begin viewing exhibits before the visit actually starts, and devote more of their time on campus observing classes, interviews, etc.
(from http://www.ncate.org/standards/NCATEunitstandards/FAQAboutStandards/tabid/406/default.aspx#faq11)
Walden is also accredited by:
The Higher Learning Commission http://www.ncahlc.org/Information-for-the-Public/public-information.html
Check out the overview of standards. The only thing I could find was:
2a. The institution realistically prepares for a future shaped by multiple societal and economic trends.
2b. The institution’s resource base supports its educational programs and its plans for maintaining and strengthening their quality in the future.
2c. The institution’s ongoing evaluation and assessment processes provide reliable evidence of institutional effectiveness that clearly informs strategies for continuous improvement.
2d. All levels of planning align with the institution’s mission, thereby enhancing its capacity to fulfill that mission.
For further information about accreditation in the North Central region, write or call the appropriate Commission office.
For institutions of higher education:
The Higher Learning Commission 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504 (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456 Fax: (312) 263-7462; E-mail: info@hlcommission.org http://www.ncahlc.org
For further information about institutional and specialized accreditation (including names and addresses of accrediting bodies) write or call:
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) One Dupont Circle, Suite 510 Washington D.C. 20036-1136 (202) 955-6126
Fax: (202) 955-6129; E-mail: chea@chea.org http://www.chea.org
CHEA http://www.chea.org/
**I ask Walden students, do you feel the portfolio is an accurate demonstration of what you have learned through your Walden coursework or would the course assignments (papers, discussions, wikis, podcasts, prezis, VoiceThreads) provide a more accurate picture?
**Also...do you feel the directions for the ePortfolio, found at: http://waldenu.edu/experience/resources/eportfolio gave you a clear idea of what would be expected of us? NOTE: The description continually says "Coursework" but this is not the case...everything we do is OUTSIDE of our courses for the portfolio.Track Your Progress and Achievements
Collect and store all your course assignments and papers conveniently online with Walden’s ePortfolio. This electronic portfolio can help you organize coursework so you can track your progress within your program as well as share assignments easily with others.
With ePortfolio, you can:
- Submit your coursework to faculty members for assessment.
- Share your best work with classmates, colleagues, and supervisors.
- Create presentations to showcase your knowledge and skills for career advancement.
- Refer back to submissions so you can track your continuing professional development.
The ePortfolio service is available in select programs and is included in the cost of tuition.
To find out whether ePortfolio is included in your program, please contact an enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336 or request information.
