Writing Portfolio Assessment and Inter-rater Reliability

The use of portfolio assessment for writing in the English as a foreign language (EFL) context has grown rapidly during the last few decades. Reliability in portfolio assessment by instructors is a critical issue and seeks a standardization of criteria. This book investigates the use of writing portfolios and their assessment by raters. In particular it compares the inter-rater reliability of the portfolio assessment criteria currently in use and the new portfolio assessment criteria proposed for Yildiz Technical University, School of Foreign Languages, Basic English Department. The perspectives of the participants on the portfolio assessment scheme and the criteria are also analyzed. Data are collected through portfolio grading sessions, focus group discussions and individual interviews. The study should provide useful information for the implementation of writing examinations and the assessment of the papers. It should especially help educational administrators and professionals working in testing and evaluation departments in EFL field, or anyone else who may be interested in conducting qualitative research.