Schools need to establish timelines for the implementation of their school-wide assessment (graduation portfolio or exhibition) paying close attention to the timeline mandated by the Regents' regulations. The first major implementation deadline affects the class of 2008, but schools must remember that those students need adequate preparation to successfully complete their graduation portfolio or exhibition.

Things to Consider

In order to create a timeline that ensures they will be ready for the 2008 deadline, schools should consider the following:

• The time needed to revise Expectations for Student Learning or develop expectations if the school has not undergone a recent NEASC accreditation process
• The time needed to design and implement the School-Wide Diploma Assessment
• Where and when students will have the time and opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete an exhibition or graduation portfolio
• The opportunities a student needs to collect, select, and reflect on entries for a graduation portfolio over the course of several years
• The time needed to propose, implement, complete, and present an exhibition