SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTER GRE ALTERNATIVE PORTFOLIO
Science and Mathematics Teaching Center GRE Alternative Rubric Instructions
Instead of GRE scores an alternative portfolio may be submitted as part of the application to the MS in natural science (MSNS – MSC, MSNS – MMA, MSNS NED) or the MS in teaching (MST) degrees. All portfolios will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the SMTC Advisory Board.
There is no required design for the portfolio, but the presentation of evidence must be clear, concise, and organized. The portfolio option does require
the following:
 A writing sample consisting of 3 defined questions (same questions from the Writing Sample on the SMTC application)
 A minimum of 4 well-selected additional pieces of evidence that demonstrate your ability to do graduate-level work*
 A letter of introduction to the portfolio which describes each piece of evidence and provides a thoughtful rationale for its inclusion
 Copies of all transcripts
Your portfolio will be judged on the following criteria:
1. Communication: Written
Evidence of effective graduate level skills. Communicates ideas thoughtfully and clearly, shows organization and appropriate development of ideas in
written presentation, competent spelling, usage, and grammar skills.
2. Communication: Other
Thoughtful presentation of portfolio evidence. Rationale is well explained, evidence is well-selected, evidence is appropriate in demonstrating
competence in all categories.
Evidence of communication skills beyond written communication. Examples would be oral communication, technology, use of the arts, graphs/charts,
other.
3. Quantitative Competence**
Solid evidence that an applicant has the quantitative literacy needed to be successful in program work. This would include evidence of statistical skills,
mathematical skills, skills of analysis, and logic/reasoning.
4. Potential for Success as a Graduate Student
Evidence that demonstrates initiative, creative thinking, intellectual capacity, ability to work independently as well as the ability to work effectively with
others.
5. Potential as an Educator***
Evidence that demonstrates the applicant as having an awareness of the individuality of learners, as curious and a life-long learner, as reflective about
instruction, and as flexible.
*Examples of evidence might include syllabi of graduate level classes that you have taken and passed, examples of research that you have conducted or
papers you have written, or courses you have developed.
**It is recommended that part of the evidence provided here is a transcript(s) demonstrating the variety of mathematics courses and science courses
involving mathematics that have been taken. It is very difficult to prove quantitative competence on the basis of one project or lesson, although a project
or lesson provided in another category that involves data collection and analysis and/or other mathematics could be referenced as additional evidence
for the quantitative category.
** If part of your evidence for this category or any other category is a video tape or DVD, provide a tape with carefully selected segments that
demonstrate what you want to show. In a portfolio, it is better to show those portions in which you are involved rather than just segments of children
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTER GRE ALTERNATIVE PORTFOLIO
doing activities. The video should be no longer than 15 minutes and be accompanied by a written narrative that describes what is being demonstrated in
each segment.
Portfolios will be rated on a 1-4 scale rubric in the 5 categories described in this document.
4 = beyond expectation
3 = expectation
2 = minimal
1 = not acceptable
Scoring Information:
 Maximum points possible = 20 points (4 points/5 categories)
o 15 points or above – acceptable
o 13-14 points – borderline (case-by-case)
o 12 points or below – not acceptable

Scoring requirement per category
o No category may be lower than a 2
o Categories 4-5 may not be lower than a 3
o Within categories 1-3, the committee may assign a 2 and still accept conditionally. This conditional acceptance would be
based on a written agreement with the applicant to remediate that area through a plan defined by the committee. The
agreement would include a timeline for completion which would not go beyond the point where the applicant has earned 12
credits toward the degree (MSNS - NED only: 15 credit hours).
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTER GRE ALTERNATIVE PORTFOLIO
Applicant:
1. Communication: Written
Score:
4
Strong presentation of content
3
Effective presentation of content
2
Weak presentation of content
Thoughtful, connected ideas
Excellent organization of ideas
Excellent graduate level writing skills
Excellent spelling/usage/grammar
Thoughtful ideas
Effective organization of ideas
Competent graduate level writing skills
Excellent spelling/usage/grammar
Ideas demonstrate only surface understanding
Unclear organization of ideas
Minimal graduate level writing skills
Accumulated spelling/usage/grammar errors
1
Insufficient or unsatisfactory
evidence
Comments
2. Communication: Other
4
Portfolio
Excellent portfolio organization interestingly
presented
Score:
3
2
Clear portfolio presentation and
organization
Portfolio presentation sloppy/messy,
organization not immediately evident
Rationale is well-explained with connections
between evidence
Evidence is very well selected and provides
insights into applicant beyond what was
required
Other Communication Skills
Evidence of knowledge about and effective use
of a variety of communication skills, including
oral
Rationale clearly addresses each piece of
evidence
Evidence is well selected and addresses
each category
Rationale unclear and/or not related to
evidence
Evidence demonstrates no clear principle of
selection and/or does not address each
category
Evidence of knowledge about and
effective use of 1-2 other communication
skills, including oral
Evidence of knowledge about OR effective use
of 1-2 other communication skills, but not
both; OR lacks evidence concerning oral
Creative and appropriate use of communication
skills in instruction
Appropriate use of communication skills
in instruction
Limited evidence of appropriate use of
communication skills in instruction
3
Clear evidence of knowledge of and
competence in qualitative skills needed
to be successful in program work
Evidence that applicant knows how to
appropriately apply quantitative skills.
2
Limited evidence of knowledge and
competence in qualitative skills needed to be
successful in program work
Limited evidence that applicant knows how to
appropriately apply quantitative skills.
1
Insufficient or unsatisfactory
evidence
Comments
3. Quantitative Competence
4
A variety of solid evidence presented showing
knowledge of and competence in quantitative
skills needed to be successful in program work
Evidence showing thoughtful and appropriate
application of quantitative skills
Comments
Score:
1
Insufficient or unsatisfactory
evidence
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHING CENTER GRE ALTERNATIVE PORTFOLIO
4. Potential for Success as a
Graduate Student
Score:
4
Evidence of outstanding creative thinking,
initiative, and leadership skills
3
Evidence of creative thinking and
initiative that demonstrates a student
able to function independently
2
Limited evidence of a student able to function
independently
Evidence of intellectual capacity to make
connections beyond expectations
Evidence of intellectual capacity to
successfully accomplish graduate level
work
Evidence of experience working
successfully independently and with
others
Limited/questionable evidence of intellectual
capacity to be successful at graduate level
Evidence of a variety of experiences working
successfully independently and in a group and
team situations
1
Insufficient or unsatisfactory
evidence
Limited evidence of experience working
successfully independently and with others
Comments
5. Potential as an Educator
4
Provides insights within the evidence of
awareness of individuality of learners and
adjustments made accordingly
Evidence shows consistency in taking advantage
of learning opportunities; thereby reflecting a
pattern of life-long learning
Evidence shows examples of instruction where
planning/instruction has changed based on
results from previous instruction
Score:
3
Provides insights within the evidence of
awareness of the individuality of
learners
Evidence indicates applicant has
participated in activities/opportunities
for personal/professional growth and
learning
Evidence is provided that demonstrates
the applicant values reflecting on
previous instruction to inform current
instructional plans
2
Little evidence of awareness or ability to
adjust
1
Insufficient or unsatisfactory
evidence
Little/limited evidence of participation
Limited evidence of reflection
Comments
Overall Comments:
Reviewer:
Date: