Portfolio Question and Answers

Changes to Graduation Portfolio Requirement

Why did the ministry first introduce the Graduation Portfolio?
During a province-wide graduation program consultation, participants agreed that students would benefit by developing a unique Portfolio of their achievements. Students, parents, business people, human resource professionals, representatives from post-secondary institutions and community members advocated for a self-directed Portfolio to become part of the new graduation program requirements.

The Ministry responded by developing standards for a Portfolio, to be met by students in their own unique ways and assessed by teachers, with a final mark to appear on the student’s transcripts.

Overall, the Graduation Portfolio was intended to celebrate student achievement and to develop Attributes of the BC Graduate not covered in core subject areas. 

Why is the ministry changing the Graduation Portfolio requirement?
The decision to change the Grad Portfolio requirement is based on a review of the Portfolio with parents, teachers, students and other education partners. The Review focused on the effectiveness of the Portfolio and how it might be improved to better address student achievement.

Throughout the Review, the ministry received formal and informal feedback from students, parents, teachers, post-secondary institutions, trustees, administrators, community organizations and other members of the education community. The intent behind the Portfolio was supported – that is, to help students develop basic skills required by all graduates and future employees, recognise non-academic achievements, and encourage the development of the Attributes of the Ideal Graduate, defined as a:

  • Lifelong learner;
  • Involved community member;
  • Healthy individual; who
  • Takes responsibility for his/her own learning and success in life.

Review participants also noted that the Portfolio is a new concept, requirements are complex and implementation is challenging. Implementation was inconsistent throughout the province.

By changing the Grad Portfolio requirement, the ministry is responding to feedback and providing greater flexibility and choice to school boards. Furthermore, through this decision, the ministry is confirming its roles and responsibilities. The ministry sets standards that must be met by all school boards. School boards determine how these standards are met.

The ministry remains committed to the original goals of the Graduation Portfolio. The change is in how schools meet those goals. Rather than being prescriptive about the method to achieve these goals, the ministry is strengthening and clarifying standards that must be met by students through school boards.

What are the new standards? What is different now – is the Graduation Portfolio obsolete?
The ministry is working to strengthen the existing standards for physical activity, education and career planning, and work experience and/or community service. Specifically, the new standards that all grade 10-12 students must meet are as follows:

  • 80 hours of physical activity (in addition to PE 10 requirements)
  • A graduation transition plan that will help students set goals for post-secondary education or career pursuits
  • 30 hours of work experience and community service.

School Boards may now determine how the standards will be met. This could be through a B/AA course, student-directed study, a Portfolio or a Ministry-authorized course.

While the Graduation Portfolio is no longer mandatory, it is not obsolete. Schools will encourage students to meet the new standards through whatever method they deem most appropriate, including the Graduation Portfolio requirements. By adopting this change, the ministry is increasing flexibility and choice to school districts so that they can best meet the needs of their unique learning communities.

Many schools have found tremendous success using the Graduation Portfolio, and these schools will likely continue to use it to successfully meet prescribed learning outcomes. Regardless of the methods used, School districts are encouraged to continue to look for new and innovative ways to increase student achievement and encourage their intellectual, social and career development.

How will this decision impact students and teachers? What about those students who are already working on Graduation Portfolios?
Teachers will now have more flexibility in how they meet learning outcomes, allowing them to select the methods that are appropriate for their students’ learning styles. These decisions will be made at the school district level.

Students who are currently working on their Portfolios have likely already met many of the new standards. Their schools will decide whether they continue to work on their Portfolios in their existing format or if they will change.

Regardless of the ways in which school districts choose to meet learning outcomes, teachers play a critical role in encouraging students, assessing their learning and supporting their transition from secondary school to a career or post-secondary.

What happens to Grade 11 students for the rest of this year?
Grade 11 students continue to work on their Portfolios, with the focus on meeting the key standards of:

  • 80 hours of physical activity
  • A graduation transition plan that will help students set goals for post-secondary education or career pursuits
  • 30 hours of work experience and community service

What happens to students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 in September?
All students can continue working on their Portfolios, if their schools deem this is the best way for them to meet the streamlined standards.

Grade 10 students will receive a new Grad Planner, outlining the streamlined graduation transition standards.

Teachers will receive a new Program Guide for Graduation Transition Standards.

How much is this change going to cost school districts?
School districts will not be required to incur any extra costs in order to comply with this change. In order to meet the Graduation Portfolio requirement, districts already have in place resources that they can continue to use to support whichever delivery method they use to meet the required learning outcomes.

How will the Ministry support schools and districts in implementing the new standards?
Ministry staff are currently working on a new Program Guide that will be available in September, 2007. Furthermore, a number of supplemental resources, such as information sessions and webcasts for school districts, will be arranged.

Schools can continue to use portions of the old Graduation Portfolio Program Guide that are useful for their students.

When can school districts expect the new standards to be in place?
The new standards will be in place as of September, 2007.