On the wrong side - Principals Protest Role of Testing in Evaluations

I can remember testing and test scores as long as I was part of the public education system, starting back in 1963 at P.S. 37 in Queens. I find it most interesting that 654 New York Principals have determined that Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) regulations which are derived partly from student test scores are flawed.
I don't understand how student test scores used as a PART of the evaluation is detrimental. In their open letter, they state "There is no evidence that evaluation systems that incorporate student test scores produce gains in student achievement. In order to determine if there is a relationship researchers recommend small-scale pilot testing of such systems. Student test scores have not been found to be a strong predictor of the quality of teaching as measured by other instruments or approaches."

I have to disagree and believe that without student test scores we are unable to hold teachers or principals accountable for their poor performance.

http://www.newyorkprincipals.org/appr-paper

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/28/education/principals-protest-increased-use-of-test-scores-to-evaluate-educators.html?ref=nyregion