We have two different types of standardised testing in our schools.

HLAT - which tests the child's ability to read and write and every grade from 1-9 does it.

PAT - which are provincial achievement tests, written in grades 3, 6 and 9. They are supposed to show that the kids are learning the curriculum but they do rank schools from these tests. The scores do not affect funding but it does make parents want to send their kids to the higher ranked schools.

My son is in grade 6 and will be writing both sets of tests this year. I don't really like the idea of standardised testing but my son thrives on them, he loves showing off how much he knows. He is autistic and so he will have a scribe (his writing is that of a kindergartener) and extra time if he needs it. I will admit that I like seeing the grades on the test, but they don't really mean anything here. You can opt out of testing.

Funding for our schools is based on the number of kids enrolled as of Oct 1 and an extra amount for kids that are coded (special needs of any sort).