Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Shirley U. Emehelu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The following FAQs will help guide local educational agencies (LEAs) and approved private schools for students with disabilities (APSSDs) in preparing and submitting the evidence needed for the student portfolio appeal process including information regarding needed documentation, submitting scores, and common errors.

1. Can students use different pathways to meet the graduation assessment requirement for English language arts (ELA), mathematics or both?
Yes. If, after completing the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment-Adaptive (NJGPA-A) in grade 11, students did not demonstrate graduation readiness on the ELA component, mathematics component or both, such students may access the following pathways:
  • Second Pathway: By meeting the designated cut score on a substitute competency test such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or ACCUPLACER; or
  • Third Pathway: By submitting, through the LEA or APSSD, a student portfolio appeal to the New Jersey Department of Education.

The pathway(s) selected by individual students may vary. For example, after taking the NJGPA-A, one student may use the second pathway for mathematics and the third pathway for ELA. Another student may use the third pathway for both mathematics and ELA. A student who met the requirements of the NJGPA-A for only one component (ELA or mathematics) may use either the second or third pathway for the missing component.

Please note, there is no requirement that a student attempt one or more assessments included in the second pathway prior to accessing the third pathway. The decision regarding which pathway or pathways a student will pursue if needed after taking the NJGPA-A will depend on a variety of factors (e.g., student’s post-secondary plans, etc.).

1. Can we use the same constructed response tasks developed in prior years?
Yes. Provided the constructed response tasks meet the specified requirements, such as alignment to the revised New Jersey Student Learning Standards for ELA and mathematics, they are acceptable for continued use with any grade 12 students who need to participate in the portfolio appeals process. LEAs and APSSDs may request feedback on their constructed response tasks by emailing assessment@doe.nj.gov. 
2. Can students type their responses for the constructed response tasks?
Yes. Student responses for the tasks may be either typed or handwritten. In either case, the LEA or APSSD is responsible for maintaining a copy of the response on file.
3. Where can I find more information about the constructed response tasks?
Additional information for ELA and mathematics portfolio appeals tasks is outlined on the Graduation Assessment Requirement webpage in the following sections:

1. What is the streamlined portfolio appeal option?
The streamlined portfolio appeals option allows for a reduction in the quantity of portfolio appeals constructed response tasks that would need to be submitted for eligible students by 50 percent per content area.
2. How can a student qualify for the streamlined portfolio appeal option?
Students may qualify for a streamlined portfolio appeal by:
  • Meeting or exceeding the minimum ASVAB AFQT score of 35;
  • Earning a qualifying IVC; or
  • Completing a qualifying WBL experience.
3. What are the constructed response task requirements for a streamlined portfolio appeal submission?
For a student who qualifies for a streamlined English language arts (ELA) portfolio appeal:
  • One reading task (either literary or informational) must be successfully completed; and
  • One writing task (either informative/explanatory, argument, or narrative) must be successfully completed.
For a student who qualifies for a streamlined mathematics portfolio appeal:
  • One task evidencing “4. Model with mathematics” (representing one of the five conceptual categories not used for the second task) must be successfully completed; and
  • One task evidencing either “2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively” or “3. Construct viable arguments” (representing one of the five conceptual categories not used for the first task) must be successfully completed.
4. Where can I find more information about the streamlined portfolio appeal option?
Additional information, including eligibility requirements and documentation expectations, is outlined in the Streamlined Portfolio Appeals section of the Graduation Assessment Requirement webpage.

1. Am I required to include a new Statement of Assurance (SOA) with each portfolio appeal submission?

When the initial Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet is submitted in Homeroom for a particular school, a signed SOA for that school must be submitted, too. After that initial submission, a new SOA is only required if the portfolio appeals coordinator, high school principal, or chief school administrator changes.

The data on each spreadsheet must be restricted to a single school within the LEA or APSSD. The dates at the end of each file name for a submission should match. Examples for an individual submission are listed below.

  • 2027SOAPortfolioAppeals991234050-1.6.27.pdf
  • 2027PortfolioAppealsData991234050-1.6.27.xlsx
2. Which CDS code should be used for students who are out of district?

The CDS (County District School) code listed in the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet must be the code for the accountable district and school. For instance, if a student from District A attends District B for educational services not available in District A, the CDS code submitted in the data spreadsheet must be for District A. This code should include all three components: the 2-digit county code (99), the 4-digit district code (9999), and the 3-digit school code (050).

The CDS code listed on the portfolio appeals outcome letter will be the code for the LEA or APSSD that submitted the portfolio appeal, which must be listed on the SOA and may be different from the CDS code included in the data spreadsheet.

3. Must every cell in the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet contain data?
No. In general, if there is no applicable data available for a cell, it will be left blank. For example, since only two of the three possible writing tasks must be submitted (narrative, informative/explanatory, argument), the ELA writing task columns not used will be left blank for those cells as per the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet Field Definitions.
4. Is there a special file format I need to use for my submitted files?
Yes. The Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet must be submitted as an Excel file (.xlsx). The SOA must be submitted as a PDF (.pdf) with either digital or wet signatures.
5. Do I need to wait until all my appeals are completed before submitting them for review?

No. Submissions may occur on a rolling basis. An initial submission must include the required Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet and accompanying SOA. Future submissions only require the data spreadsheet unless the portfolio appeals coordinator, high school principal, or chief school administrator has changed.

When submitting student information on the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet, only submit those students who have completed the portfolio appeals process for at least one component (ELA, mathematics or both). For example, if you have a student who needs both ELA and mathematics but who has only finished their ELA portfolio appeal so far, indicate “Y” for Column J (Portfolio Appeal for ELA) and “N” for Column K (Portfolio Appeal for Mathematics) and include only their ELA data in the spreadsheet.

6. Is there a specific way I must name the files? What if I am resubmitting corrected files?

Yes. To ensure proper processing of the appeals, documents should follow the naming conventions detailed in the Portfolio Appeals Electronic Submission Process. The submission dates at the end of the file name for both the SOA and the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet should match. If you are submitting multiple versions of the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheets over time, please ensure that the new submission date is correct in the file name. Also, if you are resubmitting corrected files, please add the word “RESUBMISSION” at the end of the file name to provide clarity during processing. Examples of initial and resubmitted files are listed below.

Initial Submission:

  • 2027SOAPortfolioAppeals991234050-1.6.27
  • 2027PortfolioAppealsData991234050-1.6.27

Corrected/Resubmitted File Submission:

  • 2027SOAPortfolioAppeals991234050-1.6.27RESUBMISSION
  • 2027PortfolioAppealsData991234050-1.6.27RESUBMISSION
7. What are some common errors to avoid?

Common errors that may affect the timely processing of portfolio appeals are listed below:

Submitting student information with incomplete data
When submitting student information on the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet, only submit those students who have completed the portfolio appeals process for at least one component (ELA, mathematics or both). The data entered into Column J (Portfolio Appeal for ELA) and Column K (Portfolio Appeal for Mathematics) must be accurate for the submission. “Y” indicates data is included for this submission while “N” indicates data is not included for this submission. Do not submit data for students who are expected to complete their portfolio appeal later. If a student completes the process later, an additional submission may be made.

Using rubric scores where percentage scores are expected
Certain scores that are submitted must be rubric scores, while others must be given as whole number percentage scores. Refer to the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet Field Definitions document (available in Homeroom) for further guidance.

Using percentage formatting for cells
Even though certain columns expect percentage scores, these cells must not be formatted as “Percentage.” Rather, maintain “General” formatting for all cells within the spreadsheet.

Submitting scores that are beyond the expected range
The expected ranges vary for different columns. Student appeals with score data beyond the expected value ranges will not receive approval. Be sure to review the Portfolio Appeals Data Spreadsheet Field Definitions for further guidance.

8. What do I do if I have further questions regarding the portfolio appeals process?
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Assessment at assessment@doe.nj.gov or (609) 376-3960.
Page Last Updated: 11/09/2026