The Pearson Virtual Schools division primarily follows the Higher Education Alt Text Guidelines. Exceptions and additional information are documented in this addendum.
Alt Text Categories
For the K-12 content development, the team uses two categories for alt text: primary and decorative. The decorative category includes supplemental, decorative, and functional alt text as described by Higher Education.
- Primary images support the learning objectives of the lesson and typically provide information necessary to complete associated assessments. Primary images can often be described using only alt text but sometimes require a long description as well.
- Decorative images do not support the learning objectives of the lesson. They may set the tone or enrich the visual appeal of the slide, but they are not needed for learning. Decorative images do not get alternative text. An example of a decorative image might be a student working on a laptop or a banner or icon that is part of the page design.
Writing Alt Text for Younger Learners
Like all other content, the alt text description must match the target audience in terms of reading level and cognitive load. The alt text should not be above the grade level of the student.
Helpful Hints
- Use short sentences.
- Use vocabulary that is age appropriate.
- Focus on action and emotion.
- Give fewer details than for older children and adults.
- When choosing the details, consider context, prior knowledge, and life experience.
- Emphasize the tactile.
Elementary Example
Context: This image is shown on an elementary assessment. The question asks how many oranges are in the image.
Alternative text: “an orange, an orange, and an orange”
Interpreting Symbols vs Describing Individual Characters
Certain symbols or sets of symbols are common in mathematics. In initial learning, authors should describe individual characters in formulas rather than interpreting or simplifying the collection of characters to their connotation. Once students have been sufficiently exposed to the symbols and have mastered their use, the alternative text can interpret the meaning of the symbols rather than describe the individual characters.
Here are some examples.
| Symbol | Initial Learning | Mastery |
|---|---|---|
| f-1x | f superscript negative 1 baseline left parenthesis x right parenthesis | f inverse of x |
| log4x | log subscript 4 baseline x | log base 4 of x |
| H2O | Upper H subscript 2 baseline upper O | H 2 O |
| y1 | y superscript prime baseline | y prime |
| 53 | 5 superscript 3 baseline | 5 cubed |