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Center for Teaching Excellence

Student Portfolios as Object and Process—Ray Davis and Ray Hummert



Barbara Romzek meets with MPA students
Background | Implementation | Student Performance | Reflections | Comments

Implementation Notes

Why writing?
The student portfolios utilize many different and unique formats, based on students’ needs. Some follow a journal format, some are a compilation of activities and projects, and some are categorized by one of the competency models. Writing is important in all of these formats, and the best portfolios tie these formats to written reflective statements.

Writing is important because it:

  • Records student development over time

  • Provides a vehicle for dialogue between student and faculty and/or mentors

  • Demonstrates student’s improved writing skills over time

  • Reinforces students’ learning by critically evaluating their performance against established goals

  • Becomes a living document to the student

  • Provides ownership for the student