What should the Dean of Instruction focus on when concerned with student academic performance?

The focus on the comparison of portfolios over time is essential for the Dean of Instruction when addressing student academic performance. Portfolios provide a comprehensive view of a student's learning journey, allowing for the assessment of growth and development in various subjects and skills over an extended period.

By examining portfolios, the Dean can identify trends in student learning, strengths, and areas that may need support or intervention. This method facilitates a more holistic understanding of student performance, going beyond a single measure or snapshot provided by standardized tests, which may not capture all aspects of learning. It also allows for the inclusion of diverse types of work and demonstrates a student's ability to reflect on their learning, which is crucial for fostering deeper understanding and improvement.

In contrast, focusing solely on standardized test scores can lead to a narrow view of student capabilities, ignoring other crucial aspects of academic development. Behavioral incidents in the classroom, while important for creating a conducive learning environment, do not directly measure academic performance. Participation in extracurricular activities does not reflect academic skills or performance, even though these activities can contribute to overall student development and engagement in school. Thus, the comprehensive assessment offered by portfolio comparison is a more effective approach for the Dean of Instruction to understand and enhance student academic performance.