Students pursuing careers in teaching through the School of Education (SOE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) have begun creating electronic professional portfolios with support from a $25,000 UW System grant.

According to grant initiator and SOE Director, Leslie McClain-Ruelle, all students graduating from the Professional Education Program after August of next year will be required to successfully prepare a portfolio demonstrating competence related to ten Wisconsin Teaching Standards. This grant supports the creation of an electronic template and guidelines for the development of the portfolios. Additionally, three one-credit courses will support the students� portfolio preparation. It is expected that students applying for teaching positions will present their E-portfolio on compact disks to be shared with district administrators.

"Technology now offers current and future teachers an opportunity to present their professional portfolios to prospective employers in a very dynamic manner," said McClain-Ruelle. "Our hope is that the template and guidelines will be used by all teacher education students graduating from UWSP."

Seven UWSP faculty and staff members have joined with McClain-Ruelle on the E- Portfolio Initiative grant project including JoAnne Katzmarek, Bill Kirby, Henry St. Maurice and Larry Riggs from the School of Education, Mary Mosier of Career Services, Jan Seiler, chair of the Foreign Languages Department and Randy Peelen of Instructional Technology. In addition, three UWSP teacher education students and two area teachers, Sherry Terpstra from Stevens Point School District and Jill Ebersole, Wautoma School District, also are assisting with the grant project.

The students are Robin Unrau of Wausau, Amanda Gray of Mosinee, and Chad Behnke of Brillion. Unrau, 9711 Townline Road, is a senior majoring in elementary education. Gray, N9397 Sunset Point Road, is a senior majoring in elementary education. Behnke (2002 graduate), W708 County Road JJ, is now teaching in the Luxemburg-Casco School District.

A Web site for the initiative can be located at www.uwsp.edu/education/Reference/PDP.htm

"Early indicators from area school administrators are quite positive," said McClain-Ruelle. "They have indicated a high level of enthusiasm about the E-Portfolio model and the possibilities for representing instructional lesson plans, and other samples of effective teaching practices."

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