What is a primary purpose of using portfolios in assessment?

Using portfolios in assessment primarily serves to highlight student progress and learning achievements. This approach allows for a comprehensive view of a student's abilities and growth over time, as portfolios typically include a collection of a student's work, reflecting both their efforts and advancements in various subjects or skills.

Portfolios enable educators to see the intricate details of a student’s learning journey—not just their final grades or test scores. They provide evidence of a student's process, creativity, and reflective practices, showcasing how students have improved and what specific skills they have developed. This form of assessment emphasizes learning as a progressive journey rather than a snapshot of performance at a single moment in time.

The other choices do not align with the primary use of portfolios. Focusing solely on grades overlooks the rich, qualitative insights that portfolios provide about a student’s learning process. While portfolios can add value to the assessment landscape, they do not aim to replace standardized tests, which serve different purposes. Furthermore, rather than limiting teacher feedback, portfolios often encourage detailed and constructive feedback, enhancing the educational experience.