How much is this test going to be worth?

Whether you teach K-12 students or teach adult learners, I'm pretty sure you've heard that question at some point in your career.   

I recently read an interesting article in The Chronicle of Higher Education titled "Portfolios Are Replacing Qualifying Exams as a Step on the Road to Dissertations," by Paula Wasley.  In it, she chronicles the University of Kansas' History department's switch from traditional examination methods to portfolio assessment for their PhD students.  The catalyst for switching from final exams to portfolio assessment was initially an attempt to move students through the program more quickly.  Wadsley found that students were taking eight to nine years, on average, to complete their degree.  Interestingly, in many cases, the students completed their coursework earlier and then took two to three years to sit for the final exam.   In an attempt to speed things up, they switched to portfolio assessment.  Students were given a three ring binder at the outset of their program and were instructed to keep all of their work in it. 

While the experiment was successful, the students were moving through the program, the school found that implementing a portfolio based assessment provided unforseen benefits.  From the student perspective, one student stated that the portfolio experience helped him stay focused on the end goal.  He mentioned that he changed his perspective for assignments, "every class I take, every paper I write, should be aimed at this end product."  Isn't this what we want out of our students?  Don't we want them to become critical thinkers rather than robots who are just trying to complete an assignment for a grade?  From the faculty perspective, the immediate value added came in the form of identifying struggling students more quickly.  One faculty member commented, "we don't end up with any nasty surprises."  

Ultimately, I say congratulations to the University of Kansas History Department.  Not only are you raising the bar for your students, you are encouraging a cultural shift in education.  Its time for us to embrace cultural change as educators and raise the bar for our students.  Expect the best from them and provide them with an opportunity to give you their best.

Stephanie Pfeifer, MA

Academic Trainer and Consultant