The US Department of Education is uniquely focused on performance measurement as they consider education funding through the stimulus package. As we review the metrics that have been offered for comment for both the Race to the Top and School Improvement Grant applications, we think it critical that the department tie the data requests to specific outcomes.

During a recent Race to the Top guidelines reading marathon, I came across some of the clearest thinking I have seen about measuring teacher effectiveness. I have read countless articles and papers addressing why measuring teacher effectiveness is so difficult and how it could cause more harm than good. Yet, I have refused to believe most of these claims through shear experience. We have managed to determine what a successful doctor, lawyer, NFL quarterback, pilot, mechanic, psychologist, plumber, relief pitcher, alpaca farmer, and regional quick lube chain president look like and there is no reason we should not do the same for teachers.