This is the old "there is no way to set standards for teachers" arguement. It was that way when I was in school, but more and more schools are using mandated standardized tests. This scares the H*ll out of some teachers. When I was in my first year the dept head told us that all teachers in the same subject (I taught Math, maybe your favorite subject) would give the same exam. The other teachers had years of experience over me. I did alright.
Even though there are no set standards (and possibly many criteria, I know that everyone in a school can tell you which teachers they would want their kids to have.
My suggestions:
test scores, over a period of three years
who does well the following year in a cumulative subject
which teachers the kids like, and the parents like
which teachers the other teachers go to for help
The principal and deans, which teachers have recurring discipline problems
how many students a teacher teachers
which teachers are asked to write recommendations for college
how well the teachers do on subject matter tests that they teach. (harsh, but we are looking for professionals)
what outside experience the teacher has
reviews by direct observation in class
It can be done, schools just don't want to do it and teachers in the union who like senority pay and layoff plans won't like it. So lets do it.
I don't want to give up on public schools. I want to take them back. For every teacher who does not want to see a parent near the school, there is a teacher who wants to help any way possible. For every parent who wants an easy out with easy grades, there is a parent who wants their child to learn.
The best teachers are not always popular with kids, parents, or other teachers. The worst teachers are not always popular with kids, parents, or other teachers.
Yes, math is what I love, what I taught, and wish I could teach again.