Alternative Version of the Assessment

An Alternative Version of the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics is available in multiple formats for students with special education needs or special considerations. The alternative version of the assessment contains single-selection questions only. It does not contain technology enhanced items such as drag and drop, checklists or drop-down type questions.

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

For test security, printed copies or electronic copies of the PDF must be shredded or deleted after the administration of the test. Braille formats of the test (not student responses) should be returned to EQAO following the instructions included with the tests.

TIP
The  Alternative Version Request  tab functions only when the student information is entered in the Accommodations  tab and the student profile is completed and saved.  

Alternative Version formats

If a student requires the Alternative Version of the assessment because their accommodations noted on their IEP or special considerations prevent them from accessing the assessment with technology enhanced items, it must be requested using the Alternative Version Request tab.

The following formats of the Alternative Version are available for the sample test and the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics and contain single-selection questions only:

• Online format of the Alternative Version
• Braille format (contracted or uncontracted, with printable regular- or large-print PDF)
• A printable PDF format (regular or large print)

There are two ways for students using the Alternative Version to access the audio format:

• by using available audio MP3 files with* or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics
• by using the audio directly in the e-assessment platform (built-in-text-to-speech) with* or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics

*Audio with full descriptions of all mathematics graphics is created specifically for students with visual impairments.

NOTE
The Braille, PDF and online formats of the Alternative Version contain identical assessment content.

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

A printable PDF (regular or large print) of the assessment will be included when the Braille format is ordered.

Student responses

All responses to questions in any format of the Alternative Version must be entered into the e-assessment platform. Three options are available to enter student responses into the e-assessment platform if a format of the Alternative Version is used:

1. The student, if able, can enter their responses directly into the e-assessment platform as the student completes the assessment.
2. The scribe, if one is assigned to the student, can enter the student’s responses directly into the e-assessment platform as the student completes the assessment.
3. If the student or scribe is unable to enter any responses into the e-assessment platform as the student completes the assessment, the school administrator or teacher must sign into the e-assessment platform using the student’s sign-in information, when the student has completed the assessment, and transcribe the student’s responses directly into the e-assessment platform, including the responses to the Student Questionnaire. It is important to transcribe the student’s responses exactly as the student has identified.

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

	Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics	Alternative Version Formats
		Online Alternative Version	Printable PDF format	Braille
Assessment model	Multi-stage computer adaptive testing model (adapts to the individual student’s performance as the student progresses through each assessment session)	Linear model (same set of questions presented to all students and is not adaptive)	Linear model (same set of questions presented to all students and is not adaptive)	Linear model (same set of questions presented to all students and is not adaptive)
Accessing the assessment	Login through SEB or Kiosk	Login through EQAO website	Compressed folder sent through Message Centre	Braille: Sent by courier to the school E-Braille:  compressed sent through Message Centre (requires specialized equipment)
Assessment questions and types of questions	Single- and multiple-selection questions and technology enhanced items (e.g., drag and drop, drop down menu, checklist)	Single-selection (multiple-choice) questions only	Single-selection (multiple-choice) questions only	Single-selection (multiple-choice) questions only
Audio (text-to-speech) and	Audio through the e-assessment platform without full descriptions of mathematics graphics	Audio through the e-assessment platform with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics   Compatible with assistive technology software (e.g. Google Read & Write, JAWS)	Audio through the e-assessment platform with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics OR MP3 audio files with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics   Compatible with assistive technology software (e.g. Google Read & Write, JAWS)	Audio through the e-assessment platform with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics) OR MP3 audio files with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics   Compatible with assistive technology software (e.g. Google Read & Write, JAWS)
Additional accessibility tools and features	Built-in accessibility tools (e.g., zoom in/out, high contrast)	Built-in accessibility tools (e.g., zoom in/out, high contrast)	PDF is available in large-print format with larger font size (18 pt font) and images.	Teachers can provide students with visual impairments with three-dimensional objects that represent those pictured in questions.

Requesting the Alternative Version of the assessment

Step 1 – Validating the requirements 

Ensure that the Individual Education Plan (IEP) or one of the special considerations is selected under the Accommodations tab. Use the Alternative Version Request tab to request the required format.

Step 2 – Requesting the Alternative Version 

1. Sign in as a School Administrator.
2. Under the Students tab:
   • Select Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics
   • Select the (In Progress) Administration Window.
3. Select the student with special education needs by clicking their OEN, First Name, or Last Name.
4. Ensure that either IEP or one of the Special Considerations is checked with their appropriate accommodations in the Accommodations tab.
5. In the Student Record, under Alternative Version Request tab:
   • Select Yes if the student needs an Alternative Version.
   • If an assessment session has not yet been scheduled, enter the tentative date following the YYYY/MM/DD format.
   • Braille: select Yes or No.
   • Printable PDF: select Yes or No.
   • Audio MP3: select Yes or No.
   • Select with or without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics.
   • Online format only: select Yes or No.

NOTE
If you choose Yes for the printable PDF format, choose a printable PDF format and the audio format.

6. Click the Submit Request to EQAO button to send the request.

IMPORTANT
Clicking the Save button does not send the request to EQAO.

7. Click Save; then OK to close the dialog window.
8. Confirm that the approval has been processed online by checking the Message Centre. If you have any difficulty, please contact EQAO at info@eqao.com or 1-888-327-7377.
9. Monitor the status of your Alternative Version requests by using the Requests tab in your account.

REMINDER
Once the approval for the Alternative Version has been processed by EQAO, the student’s online version of the assessment and the requested format of the Alternative Version will match.  

The alternative version of the sample test will be provided as a compressed folder, if a PDF is ordered, through the Message Centre in the same format requested by the school. 

Sample Alternative Version requests 

Sample 1: Alternative Version, student with an IEP

Sample 2: Alternative Version, student without an IEP

Viewing and managing requests 

All the information about the students’ Alternative Version are in the Requests tab. Please monitor as needed.

Once the request status is approved, the student will be assigned the Alternative Version of the online format as well as any other format that was requested. This means that questions in the online student assessment will be identical to the requested format (e.g., Braille or PDF).

Cancelling the Alternative Version request

Pending Status

If your request for an Alternative Version is showing as Pending in the status in the Requests tab, and you need to cancel the request, you would proceed to the student information page.

1. Sign in as a School Administrator.
2. Select the Students tab.
3. Select the student for whom you need to cancel the Alternative Version request.
4. Click the Alternative Version Request tab.
5. Click Cancel the Request.
6. Once cancelled, the student’s version is changed accordingly.

TIP
Do not schedule or start a student’s assessment session until the request is showing as Cancelled in the status column of your Alternative Version Request table.

Approved Status

If your request for an Alternative Version is showing as Approved in the status column of the Requests tab, you cannot make a cancellation in the system. To cancel an approved request, you will need to contact info@eqao.com. EQAO requires a minimum 48 hours to process a cancellation.