Reply #16: They already do that (although not to determine pay)

[last_texas_dem]

At least in Texas (and I doubt we're at the forefront of anything, education-wise) teachers are required to pass tests in both the subject area they plan to teach and in pedagogy before becoming certified to teach, in addition to the requisite college courses...

As for using these scores to determine pay, the problem that I would have with doing that is that scores on these tests do not always correlate with one's effectiveness as a teacher. Of course, judging one's effectiveness is a subjective practice itself, involving a variety of factors that should be taken into consideration, which is why I oppose any form of tying a teacher's pay to his/her students' performance.