Inside the Writing Portfolio addresses the primacy of teacher knowledge in the portfolio process. It seeks to answer such questions as: What do we need to know in order to assess the personal narratives, stories, and nonfiction pieces that children choose for their portfolios? How do we mark their progress? What do we need to know to assess the conventions of spelling, punctuation, and handwriting? How do we assess children's self-assessment insights and their goals for future learning? Jenkins makes the case for the collaborative portfolio - one that merges the selections, reflections, and goals of both the child and the teacher. She takes the stance that if portfolio assessment is to stand as a viable alternative to standardized measures, it is essential to capture the insights of both child and teacher in order to illuminate the full extent of a child's learning - past, present, and future. Jenkins walks us through the collaborative portfolio of third grader Shane and then follows his progress through grades four and five. Research findings are presented in conjunction with Shane's writing record, writing samples, excerpts from his interviews and surveys, and other materials. Jenkins also analyzes additional work from younger and older children to illustrate the development of writing across a broad age range. She completes the assessment picture with writing samples from home, highlighting the expansive nature of literacy.