He said that student-achievement data is only one component of the district's teacher-evaluation system, which relies heavily on principal observations.

WSJ: Seattle Teachers Protest Exams

Some of the teachers boycotting the test there say they aren't opposed to using student-achievement data in evaluations but are unhappy with the current exam.

WSJ: Seattle Teachers Protest Exams

To receive the funds, the states had to prove that they were progressing in specific areas including turning around low-performing schools, adopting college- and career-ready standards, and using data systems to support student achievement.

CNN: Tennessee, Delaware schools to get Race to the Top funds