Portfolio Reviews - Calvert County Public School District (2024)

The portfolio review is required in Maryland to ensure that each child participating in a home instruction program is receiving regular, thorough instruction during the school year, in the studies usually taught in the public schools, to children of the same age.

Calvert County Public Schools hire a team of reviewers comprised of current and retired educators. Each reviewer brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the team. The reviewers thoroughly enjoy meeting with the families and share in the joy of the students’ accomplishments each semester.

Regardless of how the portfolio is shared, the reviewer will document the evidence that is provided for each subject area. Notes on the Portfolio Review Form may include the name of the curriculum, textbooks, instructional resources, websites, skills covered, pages numbers of workbooks completed, etc. Once finished, a completed Portfolio Review Form will be sent to the parent/guardian via email. Upon request, a copy can be sent via USPS. If a valid email has not been provided, the Portfolio Review Form will be sent via USPS.

The expectations of a portfolio review for online programs are the same as home instruction programs that do not incorporate computer work. Most online schools and programs have some form of an official grade/progress report or official transcript to inform parents of a student’s progress. Parents are welcome to submit this official grade report or official transcript as documentation if they so choose. Screenshots and other informal reportswill not be accepted. They may also provide additional samples of the student's work. Online programs, academies, and schools utilized for home instruction in Maryland do not override the state’s regulations.

Children 16 years or over participating in a home instruction program are eligible to register for the General Education Development (GED) test. Parent/guardian may request a GED Verification form from Student Services. Students who have not yet completed their home instruction program or have not yet achieved passing scores in all subjects of the GED test, are required to participate in bi-annual reviews until successful completion or compulsory age (18) of attendance is reached. GED preparation and study materials may be used as evidence of instruction in the four subject areas of the GED tests: English, math, science & social studies.

We request 3 to 5 pieces of work per subject area. For a portfolio review, the regularity and thoroughness of the home instruction program are primarily determined by the quantity and quality of the documentation that is provided to the reviewer. Try to provide a sample from the beginning, middle, and end of the semester.

If a parent/guardian does not provide adequate documentation of the home instruction program, the reviewer will document the deficiencies on the review form. Another portfolio review meeting will be scheduled to provide the opportunity to correct the deficiency within 30 days. If not corrected (or if the parent does not attend the mutually scheduled portfolio review to correct the deficiency), the student must be promptly enrolled in a public or private school.