We get a lot of questions about what the artifact requirements are to meet the CEW standards. The following is information we received directly from PDE:
K-3: Students MUST collect at least 2 pieces of evidence in their portfolio (collection) toward the Grade 5 reporting grade band portfolio requirements of 6 pieces of evidence. In the next year,
Grade 4: Students MUST collect 2 pieces of evidence in grade 4 for their portfolio. If an auditor would pull a grade 5 student portfolio in September, for instance, a complete portfolio for that student would show 2 pieces of evidence for grades K-3 and 2 pieces of evidence for grade 4.
Grade 5: Students must collect 2 pieces of evidence. A complete portfolio would have 6 pieces of evidence. Please note that if a student did not complete any evidence in grades K-3 and grade 4, their portfolio would be incomplete in terms of grade-level evidence. Also note that a grade 5 student can do all 6 pieces of evidence for reporting purposes in grade 5 and still be a "Y" for the grade 5 benchmark reporting. ALL of those pieces would be at the grade 5 level, not retroactive.
The next grade band (6-8) recommends 2 pieces per year, but it is not required. What is required to report a "Y" in the benchmark are 6 pieces of evidence in grade 8 with the career plan as one of those pieces.
The next grade band (9-11) recommends 2 pieces of evidence collected per year (to stay on grade level), but it is not required. Again, what is required to report a "Y" in the grade 11 benchmark are 8 pieces of evidence, showing implementation of the career plan.
A portfolio collection is cumulative and not retroactive. Reporting is only done at grades 5, 8, and 11, and what counts are the 6, 6 (w/career plan), and 8 pieces of evidence for a "Y" in FRPI.