Accommodations

Permitted accommodations for the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics

Students with special education needs or special considerations outlined in this user guide are eligible for accommodations. These accommodations should be listed in their Individual Education Plan (IEP) where applicable and used for regular classroom activities, including all forms of assessment. School administrators must indicate applicable special considerations in the Accommodations tab in the e-assessment system.

Permitted Accommodations for the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
Permitted for ALL students Available for students with IEPs or special considerations
Presentation format Response format
  • Use of headphones
  • White noise or calming music as required
  • Prompts to return attention back to the task
  • Quiet setting
  • Preferential seating
  • Supervised breaks
  • Alternative setting
  • Additional time
  • Flexible scheduling by the school within the assessment window
  • Use of built-in text to speech in the e-assessment system
  • Built-in accessibility tools and features in the e-assessment system (e.g. zoom, text to speech, high contrast)
  • Alternative Version formats (single-selection questions only)*:
    • Braille
    • e-Braille
    • Printable PDF large-print
    • Printable PDF regular-print
    • Online with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics**
  • Interpreter/sign language
  • Audio MP3s with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics**
  • Assistive Technology (e.g. Google Read&Write, Kurzweil, NVDA, VoiceOver, Read Aloud, JAWS, Natural Reader)

  • **May be used with PDF or Braille formats
  • Verbatim scribing (all student responses must be recorded in the e-assessment system)
* Assessment content for all formats of the Alternative Version is identical.

NOTE
The Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics has an audio format available that has full descriptions of all mathematics graphics. This format is suggested for students with visual impairments.

Role of the school administrator

The school administrator is responsible for

  • adhering to the Professional Responsibilities
  • ensuring that all required accommodations are provided
  • documenting the relevant information in the e-assessment platform according to the instructions in this user guide
  • sending an information letter to parents or guardians outlining approved accommodations

Decisions about accommodations must be made

  • based on the directions outlined in this guide and according to the student’s IEP or special considerations
  • in accordance with EQAO’s User Guides for the administration of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
  • consistent with regular classroom practice, including assessments
  • prior to the assessment
  • for each student individually
  • in consultation with the student and parents or guardians or the mature student, and with the appropriate educators

Completing the Accommodations section

Step 1 – Navigate to the Accommodations tab

  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Select a student. 
  3. In the Student Record window, select the Accommodations tab. 

Step 2 – Review all fields and select or revise the accommodations, as needed

1. Individual Education Plan (IEP) Status:

Select  This student has an IEP (if applicable).

2. Identification, Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) Exceptionality:

The student has special education needs and has been identified by an IPRC as having the following exceptionality (check one only):

  • Behavioural exceptionality 
  • Autism 
  • Deaf and hard of hearing 
  • Language impairment 
  • Speech impairment 
  • Learning disability 
  • Giftedness 
  • Mild intellectual disability 
  • Developmental disability 
  • Physical disability 
  • Blind and low vision 
  • Multiple exceptionalities 
  • No

3. Special Considerations

Permitted accommodations can be provided to students who are unable to participate in the assessment without these accommodations, due to these special considerations: 

  • Temporary or Unique Circumstance: This student has no IEP and has received the school administrator’s permission for accommodations due to temporary or unique circumstances. 
  • New to School: This student recently arrived from another school and has no IEP but has received the appropriate supervisory officer’s permission for accommodations. 

4. Permitted Accommodations 

Select the needed accommodation(s): 

  • Braille format: If Braille is required, school administrators must proceed to the  Alternative Version Request tab to provide specific ordering information: 
    • Contracted 
    • Uncontracted 
    • No 
  • Other Alternative Version Formats: The school administrator must request the appropriate format(s) using the Alternative Version Request tab
  • Extended periodic supervised breaks 
  • Sign language or an oral interpreter 
  • Verbatim scribing of responses (refer to the Guidelines for Scribes section

5. Assistive Technology 

All students writing the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics have access to built-in accessibility tools such as a text-to-speech reader and a text zoom tool. 

Additional assistive technology software is available to students with special education needs or a special consideration.

Schools are encouraged to use the chosen assistive technology during the online sample test to ensure the technology functions appropriately for the student in advance of the assessment. 

The following is a list of additional assistive technology that is supported by the e-assessment platform and must be selected in the e-assessment system by the school administrator: 

  • the Read&Write for Google Chrome extension 
  • Other Assistive Technology: 
    • Kurzweil: The downloadable version 
    • Kurzweil: The extensions for Firefox and Chrome
    • NVDA
    • VoiceOver
    • Read Aloud
    • Job Action with Speech (JAWS)
    • ChromeVox
    • Natural Reader
    • Others (please specify)

If a student requires one or more of these assistive technologies, or an assistive technology that is not listed here, please contact your school board IT representative. Refer to Configuring devices for public schools(or Configuring devices for private schools) for details.

NOTE 
Variations in the pronunciation or inflection of words and phrases may occur due to the variety of software, speech engines and computer systems. Revisions may be made by the school to rectify such variations, providing that no change is made to any content. 

Step 3 – Request the Alternative Version 

The alternative version of the assessment is available in multiple formats for students with special education needs or a special consideration. The alternative version of the assessment contains single-select questions only.

If a student requires the alternative version of the assessment because their accommodations noted on their IEP or special consideration prevents them from accessing the online assessment, it must be requested by the school administrator in the e-assessment system under the Alternative Version Request tab.

The school administrator must indicate if the student will access text-to-speech using the:

  • Audio in the e-assessment platform or the separate MP3 audio files
  • Format with full descriptions of all mathematics graphics (intended for students with visual impairments) or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics

IMPORTANT  
EQAO requires between five and seven business days to process a request for Braille, and three business days to process a request for all other formats.  

Highlights of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics and Alternative Version (all formats)

How to access the assessment and Alternative Version formats (approved requests)
Login to the e-assessment system To access:
  • Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment
  • Online format of Alternative Version of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
Compressed folder sent through Message Centre Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Printable PDF Regular print
  • Printable PDF Large print
  • e-Braille (requires specialized equipment)
Sent by courier to the school To receive the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Braille
Assessment question type
Other types of questions
(i.e., multiple-selection questions, drag and drop, checklists, drop down menu)
Contained in:
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment only
Single Selection Questions
Contained in:
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Printable PDF Regular print
  • Printable PDF Large print
  • Online format of the Alternative Version
  • Braille
  • e-Braille
Available accessibility tools and features
Built-in accessibility tools (i.e. Zoom tool, text- to- speech, high contrast) Available in:
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Online format of Alternative Version
Compatible with assistive technology software (e.g. Google Read & Write, JAWS)

Refer to Configuring devices and preparing for accessibility and accommodation software. (links)
Contained in:
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Printable PDF Regular print
  • Printable PDF Large print
  • Online format of Alternative Version
Increased font size (links) Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment (using built-in Zoom tool);
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Formats:
  • Printable PDF Large print (18 pt font)
  • Online (using built-in Zoom tool)
Built-in audio (text-to-speech) Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics e-assessment
Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Alternative Version Format:
  • Online format of Alternative Version with and without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics
Separate MP3 audio files May be requested with these alternative version formats:
  • Printable PDF Regular print
  • Printable PDF Large print
  • Braille
  • e-Braille

  • Note: Separate MP3 audio files are available with and without full descriptions of mathematics graphics.
All formats of the alternative version must be requested through the e-assessment system. All student responses, regardless of format, must be entered into the e-assessment system.

Using Read&Write for Google Chrome

The Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics includes various question types (drag and drop, drop-down menu, checklist, selected response). As these questions are more interactive than those in a standard document or on a webpage, students will need to use the Read&Write Hover Speech tool to access them.

TIP
The e-assessment platform has a built-in text-to-speech tool that is designed to work with the assessment platform.

Below are some videos that demonstrate how to use this assistive technology with the e-assessment platform:

Using JAWS

JAWS is supported by the e-assessment platform.

Below are some videos that demonstrate how to use this assistive technology with the e-assessment platform:

Guidelines for scribes

Students are permitted to work with a scribe if they have this accommodation listed in their IEP or have an approved special consideration.

Scribes must be adults and must not be relatives of the students they are assisting.

School administrators are responsible for reviewing the guidelines with individuals who will be acting as scribes.

Scribes must follow the guidelines below:

  • work only with students who have been identified as receiving a scribing accommodation
  • record or input answers to the selected-response questions into the e-assessment platform as directed by the student
  • read the responses back to the student if requested
  • after the student has finished the questions in a stage (or session, if using braille or printable PDF), show the student their responses and ask if any corrections are necessary
  • make corrections according to the student’s directions

NOTE
The scribe can enter the student’s responses after an active session, if needed. The teacher will log in to the student account to allow the input of responses.

Scribes must not:

  • review the assessment prior to administration
  • clarify, explain or translate any part of the assessment
  • edit, alter, or correct the student’s responses in any way, unless directed by the student
  • prompt in order to draw the student’s attention to a specific part of the assessment
  • initiate the use of test-taking strategies
  • show any reaction to the student’s responses
  • engage in incidental conversation with the student or others

Transcribing student responses into the E-Assessment platform

All student responses must be entered directly into the e-assessment platform, regardless of which format is used, by either the student, the teacher or by the scribe.

If a scribe is unable to enter the student’s dictation directly into the e-assessment platform during the active assessment session, answers must be entered into the platform after the student has completed the assessment session. The student’s teacher can login to the platform using the student’s login information and enter exactly what the student has identified as their response.

IMPORTANT
All printed and electronic copies of the assessment must be kept secure and must be accounted for at all times.

Individual Student Reports (ISRs) can be requested in the e-assessment platform after students complete the assessment. Refer to Accessing the Individual Student Reports section. The ISRs will be available shortly after the request is processed.

Updated on January 24, 2024