2005-2006 Assessment ReportAppendix A, 1

Portfolio Assessment RubricReader: ______

Please assign a whole number (0-4) score for each portfolio you read, and then contextualize your numerical score with comments about the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio.

Score: 0-4
(see back) / Comments
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7
Portfolio # / Outcome 3
Outcome 7

Assessment Guidelines for outcome three (English majors will be able to conduct research effectively using a variety of research strategies and sources and documenting their sources according to standard guidelines):

  • 0 = absent. No evidence of student’s ability to undertake effective research or to integrate knowledge and ideas coherently. A zero might indicate blatant plagiarism, inability to work with sources, and/or personal writing without a discernable point. If there is not at least one paper demonstrating research, or if no sources cited pages are included, the portfolio must be awarded a zero.
  • 1 = sub-par. A student’s portfolio demonstrates very little ability to undertake effective research or to integrate knowledge and ideas coherently. Sub-par might indicate extensive inadvertent plagiarism, documents with no clear points, fuzzy analysis or a tendency to describe rather than analyze, use of, but poor execution of a research method, sloppy documentation of sources.
  • 2 = adequate. Reasonable evidence of a student’s ability to undertake effective research or to integrate knowledge and ideas coherently throughout the portfolio, but considerable room for improvement. Personal experiences might be well narrated, but the point not quite clear; a main point may be in place, but weakly supported; secondary sources used, but a limited range, with no attempt to provide a rationale for sources that are dated, unscholarly, or ineffective; awareness of research methods present, but methods under-utilized. If quotes are not typically both introduced and carefully incorporated into the author’s argument, the portfolio should not receive above a 2.
  • 3= good to very good. Evidence of willingness to undertake effective research and to integrate knowledge and ideas coherently; most sources are handled well, if not perfectly. A portfolio might have a single document that is exceptionally well done, with flashes of excellence in other documents.
  • 4= excellent. All items in the portfolio demonstrate an excellent understanding of how to undertake varied and effective research, frame intelligent research questions, and incorporate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner. An excellent portfolio demonstrates a wide range of excellent skills.

Assessment guidelines for outcome seven (English majors will develop professionalism exhibited in such qualities as self-direction, cooperation, civility, reliability, and care in editing and presenting a final product):

  • 0 = absent. No evidence of student’s ability to effectively select and/or organize material for this portfolio or to carefully edit and present the final product.
  • 1 = sub-par. A student’s portfolio demonstrates very little ability to effectively select and/or organize material for this portfolio or to carefully edit and present it. Sub-par work might be indicated by a hurried, inconsistent, or haphazard product; little or no attempt to design the portfolio; poor editing in general; random or ineffective choice of materials for the portfolio.
  • 2 = adequate. Reasonable evidence of a student’s ability to effectively select and/or organize material for this portfolio and to carefully edit and present it through the portfolio, but considerable room for improvement. If the portfolio contains many errors and/or a confusing or random overall organization, the portfolio should not receive above a 2.
  • 3= good to very good. Evidence of willingness to effectively select and/or organize material for this portfolio and to carefully edit and present it; material included is good; choices seem careful and strategic. Editing shows a good understanding of standard academic English, and design is purposeful, consistent, and makes the document more accessible to a reader.
  • 4= excellent. All items in the portfolio demonstrate an excellent understanding of how to effectively select and/or organize material for this portfolio and to carefully edit and present it; material included is all excellent; choices are careful and strategic and that care and strategy is reflected in the cover letter. An excellent portfolio demonstrates a wide range of excellent skills; minor if any typos or editing problems; a carefully designed and compiled portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of professional work.