A collaborative attempt to do so has lead to the Common Core - http://www.corestandards.org/ - which "... define the rigorous skills and knowledge in English Language Arts and Mathematics that need to be effectively taught and learned for students to be ready to succeed academically in credit-bearing, college-entry courses and in workforce training programs." and ability to measure attainment was one of their internal requirements during the development process (http://www.corestandards.org/assets/Criteria.pdf).
