Important: The Alternative Version Request tab appears only when the student information is entered in the Accommodations tab and the student profile is completed and saved.
An alternative version of the assessment has been created for students with special education needs or special considerations. This version contains single-selection and open-response questions only. The alternative version of the assessment is available in multiple formats. Please ensure that you have indicated that the student has an accommodation and that you have used the e-assessment system to select the format of the alternative version required. This will ensure that the online alternative version of the assessment and the requested format of the alternative version match.
The following formats of the alternative version are available for the sample test and the assessment:
- Unified English Braille (contracted or uncontracted);
- Printable PDF (regular or large print); and
- Online alternative version of the assessment (for students who require full descriptions of all mathematics graphics and/or who can only complete single-selection questions).
There are two ways for students using the alternative version to access the audio format:
- by separate audio MP3 files; or,
- using the audio directly in the e-assessment platform (built-in-text-to-speech).
For both ways, there are two audio formats available for the mathematics component:
- audio with full descriptions of all mathematics graphics for students who have a visual impairment; or,
- audio without full descriptions of all mathematics graphics.
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.
Important: 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:
- The student, if able, can enter their responses directly into the e-assessment platform as the student completes the assessment.
- 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.
- 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 session or stage, and transcribe the student’s responses directly into the e-assessment platform. It is important to transcribe the student’s responses exactly as the student has identified.
Student Responses
For the mathematics component, all responses must be entered into the e-assessment platform.
For the language component, all single-selection responses must be entered into the e-assessment platform.
Students Using the Assessment Response Sheets with the printable PDF format, regular print
The Assessment Response Sheets are used for open-response questions only. They are available to print once the teacher has selected Paper Response in the e-assessment system.
Handwritten student responses on the Assessment Response Sheets must be scanned into the system or transcribed into the e-assessment platform. If the teacher prefers to transcribe the student’s handwritten responses, they will need to switch the format for the student from Paper Response to Online Response in the system to allow for transcribing. Follow the Guidelines for Scribes.
Refer to the Printing and Scanning Process section for details.
Students Using Large-Print Printable PDF Format of the Alternative Version
Handwritten responses to the open-response questions must be transcribed into the e-assessment platform and cannot be scanned.
Requesting the Alternative Version of the Assessment
Requirement to Order the Alternative Version
Ensure that the Individual Education Plan (IEP) or one of the special considerations is selected under the Accommodations tab.
Steps for Ordering the Alternative Version
- 1. Sign in as a School Administrator.
2. Under the Students tab:
- Select an assessment: Primary or Junior.
- Select the (In Progress) Administration Window.
3. Select the student with special education needs by clicking their OEN, First Name, or Last Name.
4. In the Student Record dialog box, select the Alternative Version Request tab.
5. Fill all the mandatory fields while following the instructions and explanations.
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.
Important: As a follow up to your request and prior to the assessment, please confirm that the approval has been processed online by checking the Message Centre. This ensures that the questions in the version that the student is using will match the student’s online version. If you have any difficulty, please contact EQAO at info@eqao.com or 1-888-327-7377.
Scenarios
Scenario 1 – Ordering formats of the alternative version for a student with an IEP (hard of hearing):
Step 1 – Identify the accommodation(s)
Step 2 – Order the alternative version
Scenario 2 – Ordering formats of the alternative version for a student without an IEP (temporary or unique circumstances):
Step 1 – Identify the accommodation(s)
Step 2 – Order the alternative version
Scenario 3 – Ordering a format of the alternative version for a student without an IEP (new student – Special considerations):
Step 1 – Identify the accommodation(s)
Step 2 – Order the alternative version
Viewing and Managing Requests
All the information about the student’s alternative version is in the Alternative Version Requests tab. Use the scrollbar at the end of the table to see all the different columns.
