Which type of portfolio is a collection of items maintained at consistent times throughout the year for each student?

The correct answer is an instructional portfolio, which is designed to showcase student learning over time and is maintained consistently throughout the academic year. This type of portfolio contains a diverse range of work collected at regular intervals, allowing educators to document and reflect on each student's progress and development in relation to instructional goals.

An instructional portfolio serves multiple purposes, including tracking student achievements, highlighting areas for improvement, and providing evidence of learning through various works, such as projects, assignments, and assessments. By organizing and collecting materials over the course of the year, teachers can engage in more effective planning and tailored instruction based on the individual needs of their students.

Other types of portfolios serve different functions. A performance portfolio focuses more on showcasing a student’s skill in a particular area or subject, highlighting their best work. An assessment portfolio is primarily concerned with demonstrating a student’s understanding and achievement related to specific assessments, and a reflection portfolio emphasizes the student's personal insights and reflections on their learning experiences rather than a continuous collection of work. Thus, the instructional portfolio is uniquely suited to the ongoing nature of student evaluation and development throughout the school year.