How many Chicago teachers are highly qualified? According to a new audit of Chicago teachers, 90.5% of Windy City teachers fit the bill. That s up from 88% last year, but the increase reflects a relaxation of the HQT rules and some dubious math that excludes 3,100 special education teachers from the counting.

As if bending the rules isn't enough, it looks like Illinois is actually breaking them. The state has modified its assessment policies to allow middle school teachers to take a generalist exam covering all subjects that is the same as the one administered to elementary school teachers. NCLB clearly states that middle school teachers need to be held to the same standards as high school teachers.