O manage the administration of these tests;
O report the results to the public; and
O collect data to help determine the effectiveness of Ontario’s education system.

From the onset, the tests raised levels of anxiety for students, parents, teachers and school boards.

Since its creation, the EQAO has faced criticism, particularly on the issues of security, timelines, and 
validity of the tests. Despite this, each year it continues to assess elementary school students in grade 3 
and grade 6 reading, writing and mathematics.

Tests Not a Reflection on Teacher Performance

It is important to note that students’ results on these tests are NOT a comment on teacher performance 
in the classroom. While teachers in grades 3 and 6 may feel pressured to “deliver” high test results so that 
their class, and school, scores well, ETFO urges its members not to succumb to this pressure. Poor test 
scores are usually the result of multiple factors that are far beyond the teacher’s control.

EQAO Process Must Be Followed Properly

If the rules surrounding test administration are not followed, a teacher may be accused of improperly 
administering the test, intervening or assisting students to influence test results, or even changing 
students’ answers on the test. Such allegations, if proved, can result in severe disciplinary measures 
against a teacher, and an allegation of professional misconduct at the Ontario College of Teachers.

Some cases have alleged that:

O The teacher erased answers and substituted the correct answers.
O The teacher provided students with inappropriate resource material.
O The teacher provided the students with the answers by writing information on the board.
O The teacher spoke to and inappropriately “coached” student answers.
O The teacher had received an advance copy of the real test and provided it as practice to the 

students prior to the test.

The allegations were made because children told their parents about incidents surrounding the testing.

When the EQAO receives test results, it searches for “anomalous” results or problems. This could mean 
similar wrong answers, similar erasures, or many identical right answers on problems that do not lend 
themselves to the same answers. A suspicion of inappropriate application of the test may result in a 
prolonged investigation by the EQAO and the school board involving the teacher’s actions.

Some Reminders about EQAO Testing

ETFO strongly advises members to:

O Read the material describing what you can and can’t do around the testing.
O Be sure you understand the directions on resource materials.
O Be sure you understand how the test is to be administered, and how materials are to be 

safeguarded.

O Attend any seminars relating to test administration.
O Ask questions if you don’t understand your role and the role of students.
O Use the practice tests the EQAO provides to assist your students in understanding how to write 

the tests.

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