Portfolio Certification Program

Students in or entering Phase I.

Students in or entering Phase III.

About The Certification Portfolio

A portfolio is a personalized set of materials that shows what an individual knows and what an individual can do. Portfolios can be used to document growth and development, as a means of assessment in a class or to showcase talents, skills, and abilities. Portfolios can be designed for the purposes of program review, promotion and tenure or for job interviews.

The field of education has entered an era that is focused on "performance-based outcomes," which includes an emphasis on higher-order thinking skills. Employers are looking to see that graduates have the skills for relevant application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation, problem-solving and are able to place knowledge in "real-world" situations. You will use your portfolio to measure, examine and display these types of outcomes.

Benefits of a portfolio

The Certification Program Portfolio allows the individual to truly personalize his/her learning experiences. You will select the evidence that you believe best demonstrates your knowledge and skills and have the opportunity to reflect on your program of study. Portfolios communicate, in a more substantial way, what a teacher candidate knows and what they can do.

The portfolio provides skill in synthesizing what experts believe to be the cornerstone of effective teaching. When you enter the profession as a certified teacher, you will continue to develop your portfolio. Many national accreditation agencies are requiring portfolios, and they are also required for the College of Education's Teacher Development Program and by the State of Missouri. MU College of Education faculty members designated performance measures for each program that serve as your curriculum framework.