diff --git a/mediathread/projects/models.py b/mediathread/projects/models.py
index 781daf88b..4aa2f9453 100644
--- a/mediathread/projects/models.py
+++ b/mediathread/projects/models.py
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ def responses_by_course(self, course, viewer):
         projects = Project.objects.filter(
             course=course, project_type=PROJECT_TYPE_COMPOSITION)
 
-        # filter down to responses
+        # filter down to responses only based on the collaboration parent state
         collaborations = Collaboration.objects.get_for_object_list(projects)
         collaborations = collaborations.filter(_parent__isnull=False)
         collaborations = collaborations.order_by('object_pk')
diff --git a/mediathread/projects/tests/test_models.py b/mediathread/projects/tests/test_models.py
index b51f7980f..f67420394 100644
--- a/mediathread/projects/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/mediathread/projects/tests/test_models.py
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ def test_responses_by_course(self):
         response = ProjectFactory.create(
             course=self.sample_course, author=self.student_one,
             policy='PrivateEditorsAreOwners', parent=self.assignment)
+
         self.assert_responses_by_course(self.student_one, [response], [])
         self.assert_responses_by_course(self.instructor_one, [], [response])
         self.assert_responses_by_course(self.student_two, [], [response])
@@ -267,6 +268,32 @@ def test_responses_by_course(self):
         self.assert_responses_by_course(self.student_two,
                                         [response, response2], [])
 
+    def test_many_responses_by_course(self):
+        # additional responses ensure selected collaborations/projects
+        # don't line-up by default
+
+        response1 = ProjectFactory.create(
+            title='Zeta', course=self.sample_course, author=self.student_three,
+            date_submitted=datetime.now(), policy='PublicEditorsAreOwners',
+            parent=self.assignment)
+
+        # private response
+        response2 = ProjectFactory.create(
+            title='Omega', course=self.sample_course, author=self.student_one,
+            policy='PrivateEditorsAreOwners', parent=self.assignment)
+
+        response3 = ProjectFactory.create(
+            title='Beta', course=self.sample_course, author=self.student_two,
+            date_submitted=datetime.now(), policy='PublicEditorsAreOwners',
+            parent=self.assignment)
+
+        self.assert_responses_by_course(self.student_one,
+                                        [response1, response2, response3], [])
+        self.assert_responses_by_course(self.instructor_one,
+                                        [response1, response3], [response2])
+        self.assert_responses_by_course(self.student_two,
+                                        [response1, response3], [response2])
+
     def test_project_clean_date_field(self):
         try:
             self.assignment.due_date = datetime(2012, 3, 13, 0, 0)