Changes for 2025-2026

What’s Changed for the 2025–2026 Vermont CTE Media Arts Portfolio Review

The Vermont CTE Media Arts Portfolio Review continues to offer students an opportunity to earn an Industry Recognized Credential (IRC) through a juried portfolio process. While many core expectations remain the same, several important updates and clarifications have been introduced for the 2025–2026 review cycle. Students and instructors should review these changes carefully before submitting work.

Below is a summary of what’s new and what’s different this year.

1. Clearer Credential Language and Performance Levels

What’s new:

• The credential is now explicitly referred to as a Level II Industry Recognized Credential.

• Performance levels are clearly defined with score ranges:

  • 87–100: Proficient with Distinction (earns IRC)

  • 78–86: Proficient (does not earn IRC)

  • 70–77: Approaching Proficient

  • Below 70: Not Proficient or Incomplete

Why it matters:Students now have a clearer understanding of how close they may be to earning the IRC and what distinguishes college-ready or entry-level professional work from strong high-school-level work.

2. Submission Deadline and Review Timeline Have Shifted

Changes for 2025–2026:

• Final submission deadline:

  • Was May 8 → now May 14 (11:59 PM)

• Portfolio review dates:

  • Was May 12–13 → now May 18–19

• Results sent:

  • Was June 1 → now May 22

Why it matters:Students gain nearly an extra week to submit, but results will arrive sooner—important for end-of-year planning.

3. Major Update: Originality, AI, and Ethics Standards Are More Detailed

This is the largest change from last year.

Last Year

• AI-generated content was broadly prohibited.

• Stock assets, loops, and third-party materials were largely disallowed (with limited exceptions).

This Year

• A Code of Ethics & Expectations has been added.

• Assistive AI tools are allowed (e.g., background removal, content-aware fill, noise reduction), as long as the student maintains full creative control.

• Fully generative AI (prompt-based creation of images, video, audio, text, or designs) is explicitly prohibited.

• Stock assets, loops, samples, and archival materials are allowed if:

  • They play a supporting role

  • They are clearly cited

  • The student explains how they were transformed or integrated

Why it matters:This shift reflects real-world creative industry practices while still protecting student authorship and integrity. Transparency is now essential.

4. Citations Are Now Required When Using External Assets

New requirement:

• Students must cite all external materials (stock media, loops, archival footage, samples) directly in the SlideRoom description fields.

• Students must explain how those materials were meaningfully adapted or transformed.

Why it matters:Uncredited third-party content can now result in score penalties—even if the work is otherwise strong.

5. New Penalty Structure for Common Issues

The 2025–2026 review introduces explicit point penalties, including:

• –10 points for:

  • Originality or AI violations

  • Failure to cite sources

  • Unclear group-work roles

  • Exceeding the 5-minute audio/video limit

• Missing submissions now carry steep penalties:

  • –20 points per missing piece (when 5 are required)

  • –33 points per missing piece (when 3 are required)

Why it matters:Incomplete or poorly documented portfolios are far less likely to earn the IRC, even if individual pieces are strong.

6. Group Work Expectations Are More Explicit

While group work was allowed last year, expectations are now more clearly defined.

New clarification:

• A “primary role” means substantial creative, technical, or leadership responsibility.

• Students must describe specific decision-making and execution responsibilities.

• Instructors must be willing to verify the student’s role.

Why it matters:Vague descriptions like “I helped with editing” are no longer sufficient and may result in lower scores or penalties.

7. Content Restrictions Are Expanded and Formalized

New language includes explicit bans on:

• Hate speech and obscenities

• Weapons

• Content promoting illegal activity or drug use

• Serious violations of school codes of conduct

Automatic disqualification still applies, but the standards are now more clearly defined and aligned with professional expectations.

8. Process Piece Still Not Required (No Change, But Clarified)

As with last year:

• No separate process piece is required

• However, written descriptions and transparency about tools, sources, and roles now serve as the primary way reviewers understand student process.

Final Takeaway

The 2025–2026 Vermont CTE Media Arts Portfolio Review places greater emphasis on:

• Professional ethics and transparency

• Clear authorship in an era of AI-assisted tools

• Readiness for college-level or entry-level professional work

While the number of submissions and scoring threshold remain the same, expectations are clearer—and enforcement is stricter. Students who plan ahead, document their work carefully, and submit polished, original pieces will be best positioned to earn the Industry Recognized Credential.

For full details and submission access, visit vermontportfolio.com.