Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Portage Learning's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Portage Learning

  2521 Darlington Rd Patterson Heights, PA 15010-7112

• 

  Portage Learning

  2401 Clayton Road Beaver Falls, PA 15010

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/01/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  A place in order for an online course and started the course however there's multiple error messages that come up and on exams I have the questions right and the instructor responds with the same answer but marks it wrong in red I will be filing other complaints I want a full refund or I will be going to the local magistrate

  Business Response

  Date: 03/23/2025

  Thank you for your March 11 and March 1 letters (copies attached) regarding the
  above-referenced consumer complaint. On behalf of Portage Learning (Portage), I am
  providing a response as you have requested.
  

  Portage provides online college courses and transferring credits to more than 2,000
  schools; it is an academic organization accredited by the ************************ on
  Secondary Schools (MSA-CSS). As recently as 2023, MSA-CSS acknowledged
  Portage:
  

  (a) has demonstrated that it is effectively advancing the quality of educational
  experiences it offers its students,
  (b) meets its responsibilities to the public and the profession of education, and
  (c) complies with standards for accreditation that are established by the Middles States
  ************************************
  

  Portage recognizes that, for many students, there can be significant gaps in educational
  preparation which create barriers to students academic, professional, and personal
  opportunities. Through the provision of quality and academically rigorous college
  courses that are affordable, self-directed, and online, Portage Learnings mission is to
  bridge these gaps, moving students toward their educational, vocational, and personal
  goals no matter where they are in life. In doing so, Portage assists schools in admitting
  well-prepared students who will positively impact their communities.
  

  Mr. ****** complaint although it seems to be stated in a cursory and not entirely clear
  way seems to focus on his efforts to take the course exams that are, of course,
  required for successful course completion and accreditation. Portage places
  fundamental emphasis on trying to ensure academic integrity. As part of its efforts,
  Portage has implemented significant (but not unduly complicated or difficult) policies
  and procedures regarding exam-taking and grading/evaluation. Portage is happy to
  share these policies and procedures with you, if you would like Portage to do so.
  In administering and evaluating exams, as well as for additional purposes that facilitate
  online learning, Portage utilizes Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS). More
  specifically, Portage uses Canvas to help to administer exams.
  

  To summarize, Canvas marks incorrect answers in red and green for correct answers.
  

  See attached
  

  Additionally, the Canvas answer key is in red for longer answers:
  

  See attached

  
  In the above instance -- and even though it is explicitly stated, To receive full credit you
  must show your work Mr. ****** did not show his work and so, as outlined, did not
  receive full credit.
  

  As of 10 days ago, Mr. ****** had completed only 17% of the course. However, since
  Mr. ****** is still early in the course, there is sufficient opportunity for improvement and
  success.
  

  Thank you again for your letter; Portage wants to know if students have
  questions/concerns/etc., so that they may be addressed. If you have any additional or
  follow-up questions, please let us know.
  

  Very truly yours,
  

  ***** ********
  Sr. Director of Finance
  Portage Learning
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/25/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  

  I can't get on the modules I've already completed another shools program because they were not cooperating with me there's all kind of error messages when I try to do the modules I will be filing with the local magistrate 
   
  Regards,
  
  **** ****** Jr

  Business Response

  Date: 04/01/2025

  Dear Ms. ******************* you for your March 25 letter regarding the above-referenced case number. Portage
  wants to know of any/all questions/concerns/etc. that students and others in our
  community may have, so that we may address them.On behalf of Portage Learning (Portage),
  | am providing a response as you have requested.

  As you are aware, Mr. ****** previously wrote to BBB about his concern, and Portage
  Learning promptly responded. Mr. ****** now has written to BBB about Portage Learnings
  response.
  
  To summarize:
  
  Portage provides online college courses and transferring credits to more than 2,000
  schools; it is an academic organization accredited by the ************************ on
  Secondary Schools (MSA-CSS).
  
  Portage Learnings mission is to help to move students toward their educational,
  vocational, and personal goals no matter where they are in life.
  
  Mr. ****** original concern although it seems fair to note that it is stated in a not entirely
  clear way appeared to focus on his efforts to take a course exam that is, of course,
  required for successful course completion and accreditation.
  
  As explained in more detail in Portages earlier response, to assist in administering and
  evaluating exams (as well as for additional purposes that facilitate online learning), Portage
  utilizes Canvas, a Learning Management System (LMS).
  
  Mr. ****** seemed to have a concern that the Canvas LMS was incorrectly evaluating his
  exam answers.
  
  Although we understand how Mr. ****** might not be satisfied with the low grade he
  received, | believe that our earlier response shows why we believe that Canvas
  accurately evaluated Mr. ****** exam answers.
  
  Mr. ****** nows says, I have reviewed the response made by the business in-reference to
  complaint ID ********* and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint....
  | can't get on the modules I've already completed another shools program because they
  were not cooperating with me there's all kind of error messages when | try to do the
  modules [spelling and punctuation is as it appears in Mr. ****** most recent submission].
  
  With all due respect to Mr. ******* we believe that Mr. ****** has not provided
  sufficient information to enable us to understand, evaluate, or properly respond to
  his concern.
  
  Accordingly, and until we receive additional information, we reiterate that we believe that
  Mr. ****** exam was fairly and accurately evaluated and graded.
  
  We also reiterate that -- as of now -- it appears that Mr. ****** had completed only 17% of
  the course. However, there is sufficient opportunity for improvement and success.
  Thank you again for your letter; Portage wants to know if students have
  questions/concerns/etc., so that they may be addressed. If you have any additional or
  follow-up questions, please let us know.
  
  Very truly yours,
  
  ***** ********
  Sr. Director of Finance
  Portage Learning

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/01/2025

  Better Business Bureau:
  

  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  

  I've tried contacting portage learning and was unsuccessful talking to multiple people they say that everyone's problems and concerns will be addressed and that is a sham because they're not 
  
  
  Regards,
  
  **** ****** Jr

• Initial Complaint

  Date:11/19/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Scam. Allowed Grammarly to be used in the first module for grammar errors on essay but then failed any subsequent essays for use of grammar correction so that i would not be allowed a refund. Wrongfully accused of using Ai. There was no plagiarism found or used. Instructors appear to be robots. There are no real humans to discuss issues with. There are no instructors that read or grade papers. Just Ai tools they are using to flag and give a failing grade. I have requested a refund as i am extremely disappointed with this company and they refuse to issue any refund. This company is scamming students and offering to retake the course at near full cost. I need my money back so i can go to a legitimate community college where they actually read your papers and grade based on effort not upon a computer generated result. No returned calls, no returned emails and no one to conflict resolute.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/04/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On April 22, 2024, I paid for my high school daughter to take an on-line class through Portage Learning in the amount of $892.00. After Portage learning tried to file many violations stating that the room was not in full 360 view and that her driver's license was not legible, they automatically failed her. This was when she realized that this school was not for her. Both she and I tried on several occasions to cancel the course, but it was almost impossible to get in contact with a live person on the phone. I believe that they purposely waited out the 30 days so that they could not refund the $892.00. This is why I am filing a complaint with the BBB. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/02/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  This business practices unfair policies . I requested a refund for a class I never used and under the policy I met the rule however the second rule states that it has to be 30 days of the registration. This isn’t a clear policy because the registration doesn’t refer to the course start date . We are in a recession and a pandemic I requested my money back to be told the quoted policy with no way to appeal . The company offered me a one time course switch instead of my refund . What’s the difference to just refund ? This feels like a way to steal money