The second edition of this text concentrates on the process of creating literacy portfolios as a means to monitor and assess students' progress as readers and writers. The authors advocate using portfolios to complement information obtained from standardized testing and other performance-based evaluation tools; and, to help teachers better understand their students and learn what works and what doesn't to improve instruction. Hands-on coverage explores portfolio use in primary, intermediate, and secondary classrooms to document accountability, show authentic student progress and performance, enhance literacy development, and meet the needs of diverse learners.