Definition:

A portfoliois a collection of student work, which may be from a variety of formats: formal papers, DVD's of Oral Presentations or group projects, student self-reflections, selected excerpts from journals, lab reports, field experience reports or clinical patient evaluations, to name a few. These collections may be in created folders or in electronic formats. Portfolios usually represent a collection of student work over some time period (a semester or several years of study). They may be kept for a single course or may be collections of all of a student's work in a degree program or at a University.

• The portfolios are assessed with Rubrics which establish standards of judging Primary Traits and the standards of expected performance.
• The portfolios may be assessed by individual faculty members (as in a single course), department faculty teams or teams of faculty chosen from across the campus.
• The evaluator should be trained in employing the rubric if he/she is from outside the discipline of the student's work.
• Portfolios are a useful tool for assessing General Education Objectives of the overall University and are also used to assess degree program graduates in specific fields.
• Portfolios may be used for Value-Added Assessment if collections of early work is compared to artifacts of work at the completion of a program or a course.
• Portfolios may also be used simply to assess if expected standards of performance are reached in program or University student competency objectives upon graduation.

At Missouri State University-West Plains our Assessment Plan calls for the use of Student Portfolios for assessing University Wide General Education outcomes. In addition several Degree Programs plan to use them to assess the competencies of program graduates. There are also some courses which employ them to assess student learning.

For a good outline of the use of Student Portfolios see:

Methods of Assessment - Portfolios - Assessment Handbook. (n.d.) Department of Assessment, Skidmore College.

http://www.skidmore.edu/administration/assessment/hbmethods.htm#portfolio1

The following is an example of how a Portfolio Rubric could be constructed and scored:

Portfolio Evaluation Rubric
1. Organization
Evaluation Numeric Value	Below Expectation 1	Meets Expectation 2	Exceeds Expectation 3	Weight
A) Introduction	Lacks clear focus and does not highlight learning objectives.	Generally clear in focus with only minor confusion of intent success in learning outcomes.	Very clear in focus with every artifact demonstrating success in learning outcomes.	1
B) Organization	Lacks organization or does not adhere to course / program guidelines.	Somewhat disorganized may lack complete adherence to course / program guidelines.	Very well organized and meets all outlined expectations and/or guidelines.	1

2. Reflections on Learning
Evaluation Numeric Value	Below Expectation 1	Meets Expectation 2	Exceeds Expectation 3	Weight
A) Summarizes the growth that has been experienced in learning	Lacks clear evidence of growth in learning outcomes.	Clear evidence of growth in learning outcomes.	Exceptional evidence of growth in learning outcomes.	1
B) Evaluates Personal strengths and weaknesses	Superficial consideration of personal strengths and weaknesses.	Accurate consideration of personal strengths and weaknesses.	Excellent evaluation of personal strengths and weaknesses.	1

3. Achievement of Learning Outcomes
Evaluation Numeric Value	Below Expectation 1	Meets Expectation 2	Exceeds Expectation 3	Weight
A) Demonstrates intellectual development in program/course area.	Evidence of pre- and post- knowledge. Little evidence of development in achievement of learning outcomes.	Clear evidence of development in achievement of learning outcomes.	Exceptional evidence of development in achievement of learning outcomes.	2
B) Demonstrates understanding of the complexity of subject	Little evidence of full understanding of complexity of material.	Clear evidence of understanding of complexity and issues in material.	Exceptional evidence of understanding of complexity and issues in material.	2
C) Addresses each of the key elements of the programs objectives.	Artifacts do not show all objectives met.	Artifacts clearly demonstrate objectives met.	Artifacts show exceptional achievement of objectives.	2
D) Shows an ability to integrate the knowledge.	Little evidence of integration of knowledge/skill area.	Clear evidence of integration of knowledge/skill area.	Exceptional awareness of integration in knowledge /skill area.	2

4. Overall Portfolio Evaluation
Evaluation Numeric Value	Below Expectation 1	Meets Expectation 2	Exceeds Expectation 3	Weight
A) Does this portfolio demonstrate the student's learning achievement and reflections on his or her learning?	Little evidence of commitment to or reflection on learning.	Clear evidence of commitment to and reflection on learning.	Exceptional evidence of commitment to and reflection on learning.	1
B) Is the portfolio well-designed (easy to read and navigate)?	Poor design and difficult navigation.	Acceptable design and navigation.	Outstanding design and ease of navigation.	1
C) Are the portfolio's sections well-integrated - do they form a logical whole?	Portfolio selections do not form a consistent picture of learning outcomes.	Portfolio selections form a consistent picture of successful learning outcomes.	Portfolio selections form a holistic impression of outstanding learning achievement.	1
D) Does the portfolio meet the expectations for this course or program?	Does not meet expectations of course/program.	Meets all expectations of course/program.	Exceeds all expectations of course/program.	1

5. Additional Criteria
Evaluation Numeric Value	Below Expectation 1	Meets Expectation 2	Exceeds Expectation 3	Weight

6. General Comments:

 

Portfolio Evaluation Form
Student Name: Student ID #: Date: Class/Program:	________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
	Below Expectation	Meets Expectation	Exceeds Expectation	Weight	Weighted Score
Organization	1			1	1
Reflections		2		1	2
Learning Outcomes			3	2	6
Overall Portfolio		2		1	2
Total Score					11
Note: Sample scores are given. A perfect score would be 15. The program/course assessment standard could be that 75% of students will score at least a 10 on this portfolio rating scale. Comments: