AJ Juliani's blog post about "how to assess assignments" in a portfolio are valuable for teachers and students

HERE IS SOME EXCELLENT ADVICE:   "By starting out with a simple Google Drive (or SkyDrive) folder, you can eventually give the students a choice down the road of what platform they want to create their digital portfolio so they can share it with the world. Here is where students will make their own websites using WordPress.com, Weebly.com, Wix.com, Squarespace.com, and many more options."
From AJ Juliani

I found that the Google Sites software is a simple option.  I've described the 11 steps at TINYURL.com/FWPstart for the Free Website Project.  The design is based on High Tech High (SEE LINK) in San Diego, where I learned from two students how they assemble their portfolios.   
TIP:  Search "bill gates and oprah visit high tech high"

AJ makes good points about the advantages of teaching fewer students more deeply.  It reminds me of stories from Dennis Littky's EDUCATION IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS  tinyURL.com/Littkychapter1 and  tinyURL.com/Littkychapter4, plus the radio interview on NPR at  tinyURL.com/LittkyRadio.   

Responses about the "Alternative Path to Graduation"

Projects and a Path to Graduation

"Push students to do research on their own."

A panel of teachers can evaluate the exhibition and portfolio.

"This method could change the history of education.  This is the goal of personalized education."
-- Mario Llorente Leyva


"Think of the mind of students if they have an alternative like this.
Think about what colleges can do with a high sch0ol student's work.
Even remedial work can be found easily by looking at a student's portfolio."
-- Mario Llorente Leyva

This is an Alternative Path to Graduation.  

See the REGULATIONS in Rhode Island
http://www.ride.ri.gov/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Diploma-System/Proposed_Secondary_School_Regulations_5-9-16.pdf