I. The Exploration Phase
The Exploration Phase is represented by your establishing an electronic portfolio during the first stage in the Literacy graduate program in Literacy & Research or Literacy Seminar I, in which you create a new electronic portfolio, and begin to add course products and professional artifacts from your classroom to your portfolio. An Artifact is any product or demonstration of your work or ability. Accompanying each artifact should be a reflective statement or commentary, explaining how a particular artifact (e.g. research literature review) represents how you are meeting a particular IRA professional standard (e.g. Foundational Knowledge). Discuss how each product/artifact represents a meaningful experience for you, what you learned, how this work complements your previous work or experience, and any new interests or directions which may have developed from this project or assignment. You must also address the ways you enact each of the Adelphi Conceptual Framework Core Values; you may do this in an essay and/or by commenting or annotating artifacts that you relate to each value.

Benchmark requirements
The portfolio itself is a benchmark at the Exploration Phase. You MUST include artifacts and reflections within this first learning phase, including Background introductory materials (e.g. Personal information and commentary, resume, Literacy Beliefs & Practices statement, reflection on the Conceptual Framework Core Values, research literature review and commentaries relating to meeting the IRA Standards for Reading Professionals competencies).


II. The Synthesis Phase
The Synthesis Phase encompasses the following courses: Literacy Children’s and Adolescent Literature, Literacy & Culture, and Assessing and Addressing Literacy Problems I and II. Within this phase, you continue to add artifacts and reflections, referencing both the IRA standards and the Adelphi Conceptual Framework Core Values. By the end of the Synthesis Phase, your electronic portfolio should be essentially developed, with artifacts and commentaries for each of the Conceptual Framework Core Values and for each of the elements of the IRA Standards for Reading Professionals.

Benchmark requirements
Pre-practicum Clearance review of the electronic portfolio is required one semester prior to admission to Practicum (ELY 753). You must share your portfolio with your Literacy advisor before or during Assessing & Addressing Literacy Needs II. At that time you will be expected to have sufficiently developed your portfolio’s contents to demonstrate your competencies in each of the IRA standard competencies, with at least one applicable artifact and commentary.


III. The Reflective Practice Phase
The Reflective Practice Phase completes the portfolio in the Literacy graduate programs. This phase includes the Literacy Practica, and Organizing, Supervising and Reforming Literacy Programs. This phase also includes the Literacy Research action research project for Master’s Degree candidates, and the fulfillment of the portfolio requirement for both the Master’s Degree and Advanced Certificate candidates. This phase is assessed during Literacy & Research II, or Literacy Seminar II. In this phase you are responsible for demonstrating competence in each of the professional standards, showing growth over time, and adhering to the Conceptual Framework in a summative evaluation.

Benchmark requirements
The portfolio itself is a benchmark at the Reflective Practice Phase. It is a summative assessment. All Literacy Profile reports (especially those done for 753,754) are considered Benchmark assignments. Include Literacy Profile(s) you develop for students during the Practicum courses, with commentary that explains how these products demonstrate meeting appropriate elements of the IRA Standards. You must also revisit your statement of your adherence to the Adelphi Conceptual Framework Core Values and compose a reflective exit essay.

Benchmark requirements
All Literacy Profile reports are considered Benchmark assignments. These profiles must be attached in your portfolio, with appropriate commentary.