Page 4: Overview of portfolios

After DOE lets you know what requirements and standards you have to meet, you will then gather "evidence" in a portfolio to indicate proficiency toward standards. This process might require that you pursue further learning, to fill gaps in knowledge and experience. Finally, you will be observed actually teaching--to determine both what you already know and can do and what you might want to work on to become an even better teacher.

SABES has developed self-assessment worksheets to help you (a) discover which requirements and standards you might have already met through prior learning and experience, and (b) set up a plan to address any requirements and standards you will probably still need to meet.

This graphic might help you understand what you might be including in your portfolio, which you will submit following DOE's assessment of your Application Packet. Newer teachers will have more evidence based on education, training, and self-study; more experienced teachers will probably be including more evidence based on their classroom teaching.

Coursework from colleges or 10+PDP Trainings	Examples of your teaching materials	Examples of your learners' work	Descriptions of staff development training
Self-Directed Study	Distance Learning		Your Portfolio

Though teachers can get credit for their knowledge and experience, make no mistake: The ABE Teacher's License is based on serious requirements and standards. All candidates must possess a broad range of subject matter knowledge and professional skills, and each must demonstrate her teaching. When a candidate has completed the process, she will possess a license that will stand up against any other teaching license that our state issues.

To find your level of requirements, go to the next page.