Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Students with disabilities who are unable to demonstrate proficiency on the statewide assessments required for graduation can participate in the portfolio appeals process. Previously, students with disabilities may not have participated in the portfolio appeals process.  A student’s IEP may include modifications or waivers to standard graduation requirements, allowing the student to earn a state-endorsed diploma. An April 28, 2021 NJDOE Broadcast Memo stated that, beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, students with disabilities who do not meet all standard graduation requirements will receive a diploma but will not be included as graduates for federal reporting.

Students with disabilities who demonstrate proficiency through the portfolio appeals process, will receive a diploma and will be included as a graduate for federal reporting. It is recommended that, as appropriate, local education agencies (LEAs) and approved private schools for students with disabilities (APSSDs) encourage students with disabilities to participate in the portfolio appeals process if they have not yet met the graduation assessment requirement for ELA, mathematics or both. 

1. Are students with disabilities required to participate in the portfolio appeals process?

No. Students with disabilities who participate in the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment-Adaptive (NJGPA-A) and do not receive a passing score can choose to participate in the portfolio appeals process to meet the graduation assessment requirement. Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to participate in the portfolio appeals process.

2. Can students who are administered the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Assessments participate in the portfolio appeals process?

No. The portfolio appeals process is available only to students who have participated in the NJGPA-A. Students who are eligible for the DLM will take the DLM instead of the NJGPA-A.

3. Can students with disabilities receive the accommodations required by the IEP when completing Constructed Response Tasks (CRTs)?

Yes. The accommodations in a student’s IEP must be provided when completing constructed response tasks. The accommodations were selected because they allow the student to access content and demonstrate what they know. As the constructed response tasks are open-ended questions that are designed, administered, and graded locally, the teacher administering the tasks must make sure that students are provided the accommodations required by the IEP.

4. Can the ELA or mathematics content be modified for students with disabilities?

The content of the tasks completed by students must meet all specified requirements. Additional information about the requirements for ELA and mathematics tasks are outlined on the Graduation Assessment Requirement webpage in the following sections:

• ELA: Informational Guide for Portfolio Appeals Process
• Mathematics: Informational Guide for Portfolio Appeals Process

Students with disabilities must also be provided with the accommodations required by the IEP when completing the tasks.

5. How can students who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language participate in the portfolio appeals process?

The constructed response tasks may be interpreted into ASL, and the student may respond in ASL, where appropriate. LEAs and APSSDs may video record the student responses and transcribe them into English for inclusion with the student’s required portfolio appeals materials.

6. Who can I contact if I have specific questions about supporting students with disabilities?

For general questions about supporting students with disabilities, emails may be sent to oseinfo@doe.nj.gov.

For questions about portfolio appeals, emails may be sent to assessment@doe.nj.gov.

Multilingual learners who are unable to demonstrate proficiency on the NJGPA-A may participate in the portfolio appeals process. LEAs and APSSDs have the ability to provide certain accommodations for this student population based on their unique needs.

1. Can multilingual learners have constructed response tasks translated into their native language?

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(f), multilingual learners may demonstrate proficiency through passage of the portfolio appeals process in their native language, when available, and passage of a Department-approved English language proficiency (ELP) assessment. Additional information about assessing eligible multilingual learners in their native language is included on the Graduation Assessment Requirement webpage in the following sections:

• ELA: Informational Guide for Portfolio Appeals Process — FAQ #20
• Mathematics: Informational Guide for Portfolio Appeals Process — FAQ #5

2. Who can I contact if I have specific questions about supporting multilingual learners?

For general questions about supporting multilingual learners, emails may be sent to ML@doe.nj.gov.

For questions about portfolio appeals, emails may be sent to assessment@doe.nj.gov.

Students experiencing homelessness and who change schools late in high school often face challenges meeting graduation requirements. Additionally, differing high school policies and requirements can often have a negative impact on youths whose homelessness forces them to change schools mid-year.

If students experiencing homelessness are unable to demonstrate proficiency on the NJGPA-A, they may participate in the portfolio appeals process. LEAs and APSSDs are encouraged to work collaboratively to ensure the impacts of homelessness do not negatively impact students’ ability to successfully engage in the portfolio appeals process.

1. Are students experiencing homelessness required to participate in the portfolio appeals process?

The portfolio appeals process is available to all students who would traditionally be expected to take the NJGPA to meet the graduation assessment requirement. While students experiencing homelessness face unique challenges, it is important to note that students who have not yet met their graduation assessment requirement will not be granted a high school diploma unless they qualify under provisions of their IEP.

2. Who can I contact if I have specific questions about supporting students experiencing homelessness?

For general questions about supporting students experiencing homelessness, emails may be sent to Mckinney.Vento@doe.nj.gov.

For questions about portfolio appeals, emails may be sent to assessment@doe.nj.gov.