Is there any flexibility in the requirements for “highly qualified” teacher status?
Yes, there is some. Since March 2004, flexibility is provided for certain groups of teachers. For example, rural school teachers, science teachers (including biology, chemistry, earth/space science, and physics), social studies teachers (including history, geography, economics, and political science/government/civics), and special education teachers have particular descriptions of what “highly qualified” means for them. These descriptions are explained on-line at NCLB HQ Teacher Flexibility Update.
