Do tests applied to teachers predict their effectiveness?

•We analyze a teacher evaluation system in Ecuador.•The evaluation includes a written test, and a demonstration class.•It also rewards teachers for experience, degrees, and in-service training.•Children taught by teachers with higher scores on the evaluation do not learn more.•Our results underline the difficulty policy-makers have identifying effective teachers.

We analyze a teacher evaluation system in Ecuador. The evaluation includes a written test, a demonstration class, and points for experience, degrees, and in-service training. Children taught by teachers with higher scores on the evaluation do not learn more.