What type of assessment evaluates children's progress through portfolios?

Portfolios are a key element of authentic assessment, which focuses on evaluating students' skills and knowledge through real-world tasks and projects rather than relying on traditional tests. This type of assessment allows educators to observe children’s learning processes and progress over time through a collection of their work, such as drawings, writings, projects, or recordings of performances.

Authentic assessment emphasizes the demonstration of skills in a meaningful context, reflecting children’s actual capabilities and growth. It also encourages reflection and self-assessment, enabling children to take ownership of their learning. The use of portfolios aligns perfectly with this approach, as they provide tangible evidence of a child's development and achievement across a variety of learning experiences.

In contrast, standardized assessments typically involve uniform tests that measure students against a set standard or benchmark, which may not offer a comprehensive view of a child’s learning journey. Formative assessments are ongoing checks for understanding during the learning process rather than an evaluation at a specific point in time. Summative assessments evaluate learning at the end of an instructional period, typically through tests or final projects, rather than through a cumulative approach like portfolios.