How can I effectively track and showcase the progress of multilingual learners across all language domains when traditional assessments often fail to capture their growth?

In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher is joined by Kelly Aldinger, a bilingual learning and development expert with a passion for fostering educational equity for multilingual learners. Kelly shares her expertise on the power of digital portfolios in showcasing language development, particularly in helping multilingual students see their progress over time.

A digital portfolio is more than just a collection of student work, it's a tool that brings together audio, video, and written samples to demonstrate real growth in all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Kelly walks us through how teachers can use these portfolios to monitor language growth, identify skill gaps, and make data-driven decisions to inform instruction. She also shares insights into making the process more manageable for teachers and offers practical steps to get started with setting up digital portfolios in the classroom.

This conversation highlights the value of using data to drive decision-making and how digital portfolios give both teachers and families a clearer picture of student achievement. Kelly provides actionable tips on how to integrate these portfolios into your practice, including the importance of student reflection and how to connect with families through accessible and meaningful tools. Whether you're a teacher looking to enhance your classroom or someone seeking to learn more about fostering student progress, this episode is packed with valuable information that can make a big impact.

Key Topics Discussed:

• What digital portfolios are and how they differ from traditional student folders
• The benefits of using portfolios for tracking progress in all four language domains
• Practical steps for setting up digital portfolios and using them effectively in the classroom
• How to leverage student reflection for growth and goal-setting
• The power of data in driving educational decisions for multilingual learners

Listen to this episode and start planning how you can implement digital portfolios in your classroom to celebrate student growth and improve instructional strategies.

Links and Resources:

• In this Google Drive Folder, you will find a copy of presentation slides, NYSESLAT Targets of Measurement, K-5 Digital Portfolio Reference Guide, Google Site Template

**IMPORTANT** Right click on the file within the Google Drive folder --> "Make a copy" --> Be sure to store it outside of the shared folder in your OWN drive, otherwise it won't allow you to make the copy.

A copy of the site will be created, and you can rename it and make changes as needed.

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• Connect with Kelly on Linked In