In past years, students with disabilities may not have participated in the portfolio appeals process. Students with disabilities, through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) may have graduation requirements waived or modified and receive 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 are unable to demonstrate proficiency on the statewide assessments required for graduation can participate in the portfolio appeals process.  Students with disabilities who demonstrate proficiency through portfolio appeals will receive a diploma and will be included as a graduate for federal reporting. It is recommended that, as appropriate, districts encourage students with disabilities to participate in the portfolio appeals process if they have not yet the graduation assessment requirement for ELA and/or mathematics.

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

No. Students with disabilities who participate in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) and do not receive a passing score can choose to participate in the portfolio appeals process to meet 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 NJSLA. 

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 CRTs. The accommodations were selected because they allow the student to access content and demonstrate what they know. As the CRTs are open-ended questions that are designed, administered, and graded locally, the teacher administering the CRT must make sure that students are provided the accommodations required by the IEP.

4. Can the English language arts or mathematics content be modified for students with disabilities?

The content of a CRT must be aligned to the Reasoning or Modeling Evidence Statements found in the Algebra I, Geometry and/or Algebra II Evidence Statements documents and from the Reading and Writing Evidence Statements for high school.

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

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

The CRTs may be interpreted into ASL, and the student may respond in ASL, where appropriate. The district 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 relating to the accommodations/modifications in a student’s IEP and the portfolio appeals process?

Questions should be emailed to oseinfo@doe.nj.gov.

ELLs who are unable to demonstrate proficiency on the statewide assessments required for graduation can participate in the portfolio appeals process. Districts have the ability to provide certain accommodations for this student population based on their unique needs.

1. Can ELLs have CRTs translated into their native language?

Yes. Districts may translate CRTs into an ELL's native language, and an ELL may respond in his/her native language.  The portfolio appeals program also allows electronic translators, Dragon speak, etc. The district must translate or transcribe the student's responses and the CRTs into English for inclusion with the student’s required portfolio appeals materials.

2. Who can I contact if I have specific questions relating to ELLs and the portfolio appeals process?

Questions should be emailed to ELL@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 statewide assessments required for graduation, they may participate in the portfolio appeals process. Districts 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 NJSLA to meet 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 and who choose not to participate in the portfolio appeals process 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 relating to students experiencing homelessness and the portfolio appeals process?

Questions should be emailed to Mckinney.Vento@doe.nj.gov.