The JMU/Microsoft Partnership for 21st Century Skills offers a portfolio-based assessment program for teachers designed to certify that they have met some or all of the National Educational Standards for Teachers. The assessment system consists of an online environment that enables teachers throughout the state to participate, a mentor-based process supporting the development of teacher portfolios, a well-developed set of rubrics for evaluating alignment with the NETS for teachers, an online course for training evaluators, and a process for ensuring consistency among evaluators.

The rubrics are based on those in ISTE’s NETS▪T Resources for Assessment book, but extend and clarify them further for their local implementation. The mentor-based portfolio development process has been field tested and refined over the past several years. The online course for training evaluators uses a case-based approach and likewise has been field tested and refined. A process for developing and maintaining consistency among evaluators is a high priority and is also incorporated into the online system.

The product review team has reviewed all components of the system, including observation of the online training course for evaluators and review of sample portfolios, and finds the JMU system to be an exceptionally well-designed and robust assessment system which, if implemented as intended, will provide strong evidence of teachers’ achievement of the National Educational Standards for Teachers and meets the requirements for a Seal of Alignment for Assessment for NETS▪T.

As the following matrix indicates, the JMU assessment system is aligned with all the NETS▪T benchmarks. [table included in original]

ISTE Seal of Alignment and the official Statement of Alignment:

The International Society for Technology in Education reviewed the James Madison University/Microsoft Partnership for 21st Century Skills Assessment System on June 25, 2007. ISTE determined that these programs clearly support the implementation of the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for Teachers in specific, carefully reviewed and documented manner and prepares participants to substantially meet the following standards:

NETS•T™ ALIGNMENT:
Meets: I.A., I.B., II.A., II.B., II.C., II.D., II.E., III.A., III.B., III.C., III.D., IV.A., IV.B., IV.C., V.A., V.B., V.C., V.D., VI.A., VI.B., VI.C., VI.D., VI.E