| Summary: | In South African classrooms a strong emphasis is placed on assessing learners by means of portfolios. Through the utilisation of portfolios it is envisaged that learner growth and development should be enhanced in order for learners to become expert learners who are strategic, self-regulated and self-reflecting. This study aimed to determine how effective the implementation of portfolio assessment presently is, and if necessary, to develop a model that could improve the implementation of portfolio assessment in the Senior Phase, Grade 9 in particular. By means of explanatory mixed method research through the completion of questionnaires by 369 learners and 88 educators, and focus group interviews conducted with 36 of the 88 educators from the Sedibeng West District, disconcerting results were revealed. It appeared that educators are not equipped with adequate knowledge and skills to implement portfolio assessment in order to enhance learner growth and development. Based on the disturbing findings, a model was designed to highlight the processes and components involved in the successful implementation of portfolio assessment. As no evidence of any other model to improve the implementation of portfolio assessment at school level could be located, the contribution of this study lies in the development of a tool that could be utilized by the Department of Education to train educators to become effective implementers of portfolio assessment. === Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.
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