A motion asking to scrap the tests and look at alternatives is up for debate in the Alberta legislature next week. (CBC)

An Alberta MLA wants to scrap mandatory testing for Grade 3 students, a move that has garnered some support among teachers and parents.

A motion from a Conservative member asking that the tests be ended and alternatives considered will be up for debate in the Alberta legislature next week.

"Parents out there aren't happy. Teachers out there aren't happy. And maybe it's time to seriously look at alternative forms of assessment," said Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA and former teacher Genia Leskiw, who introduced the motion.

Calgary-area elementary school teacher Tracey Bowes, who supports the motion, has started a Facebook group that has more than 100 members.

Bowes told CBC News the tests are not the best way to help students get ahead.

"Through the written test model, the way it is, I just don't feel we get a clear picture of what our kids know," she said.

Bowes said the province needs to change the timing and the nature of the tests. They are currently written near the end of the school year, but the results are handed back in the fall after most students have moved on to the next grade.

Bowes said it would help if they were done at the start of the year and she would prefer "more diagnostic type tests."

"That will actually help our children instead of finding out six months later, oh by the way, this child has failed the achievement test, does nothing for us as a teacher and [puts] a lot of stress on kids," said Bowes.

The idea of replacing achievement tests with diagnostic tests also has the support of the Alberta Teachers Association's president Frank Bruseker, who has asked teachers to write their MLAs in support of the motion.

Can be a useful tool

HsingChi von Bergmann, an associate professor in the education department at the University of Calgary, said standardized tests, if done right, can help ensure that the same level of education is being offered in all Alberta schools.

"Up to now, I think our provincial tests have been quite reliable, has been quite valid," she said. "[But] the result we get from the achievement tests is just one side of the story of what is happening in our schools."

If the province scraps the tests, she would like to see resources poured into better classroom assessments.