Should We Link Teacher Evaluation to Student Performance?

Across the United States the Race to the Top initiative has brought much discussion on the topic of quality teachers and quality principals.  Quality teachers and quality principals are seen as one of - if not THE - key (controllable) components to student achievement.

According to the Birmingham News Editorial Report (June 4, 2010):  "Studies have shown differences in achievement of up to 50 percent between students who have highly effective teachers over three years compared to those who have ineffective teachers during that time. It's not just that students with effective teachers improve their achievement; those with ineffective teachers get worse."

So can we make the bridge that if we link teacher evaluation to student performance that the outcome will be more highly effective teaching/teachers and therefore a greater number of students will then be at a higher level of achievement?

My thoughts - and I welcome yours as well - ... I think that as my lawyer friends will say - it depends. It depends on the tools and processes used in the evaluation process and it depends on the resources and support that will be given to the teachers through the process.  As has often been quoted, no matter how many times you weigh a pig, the weighing of it changes nothing.  If we are to begin to hold teachers responsible for a student by student data-based, prescriptive, performance based evaluation system - we have to ensure teachers know what to do to create success and that they aren't just 'weighing pigs'.