Typically, proponents of portfolios suggest two reasons for their use. The first reason reflects dissatisfaction with the kind of information typically provided to students, parents, teachers, and members of the community about what students have learned or are able to do. As examples, we are reminded that traditional grading systems (“A’s”, “B’s”, etc. ) or test scores (percentile scores or percent correct) tell us almost nothing about what a student has learned or is able to do.