Scores on professional licensure exams and transcript grades, used to evaluate the competencies of entry level teachers, fail to reflect the wide range of complex knowledge, skills, and dispositions that quality professional educators possess. As the demand for authentic, standards-based assessment of teacher performance continues to grow, teacher educators need to develop new tools to record and organize evidence of successful teaching. Electronic portfolios documenting professional growth, reflective practice, and demonstrated competencies to set standards or principles can be just such a tool. Electronic portfolio assessment is intended to help candidates become integral and conscious participants in their learning processes. Electronic portfolios are constructive instruments for authentic assessment, promoting connections between teaching, learning, reflection, and evaluation. They are open-ended and capable of growing as candidates progress in their knowledge, skills, and disposition. They encourage self-assessment as the developer invokes a multitude of strategies and maximizes different learning styles to creatively communicate using various media formats. They also enable candidates to address specific needs (reflection and growth, positive and relevant assessment, and career advancement). (Contains 24 references.) (SM)