The portfolio review process is the primary way that we evaluate students’ learning related to the University Studies goals. That information helps us identify strengths as well as areas for program improvement and faculty development.
While the portfolio is a required class assignment, participation in the portfolio review process is strictly voluntary. The review happens after grades have been submitted. Agreeing or declining will not affect a student’s grade or relationship to PSU in any way.
Portfolio review is "confidential", but not "anonymous". This means that while the reviewers may sometimes see identifying information on the portfolio (i.e., the student’s URL on an electronic portfolio), all scores are reported without disclosing the identification of the student, and none of the reports or summaries of the review ever mention students by name.
While the primary use of the portfolio review data is program improvement, the data may be used for other research purposes. For example, this year, we have a research project under way that connects student responses from the Prior Learning Assessment at the beginning of the year with information about student retention and performance. We will use the portfolio scores in the research project. We are interested in understanding how to improve student retention and learning in the first year at PSU.