In this article, the author reports how the "highly qualified" provision of the No Child Left Behind Act affected middle-grades teachers far more than teachers at the elementary and high school levels. Under the federal law, teachers beyond the elementary grades who were in the classroom two years ago may show their knowledge of academic content by having a college major in the subject, passing a test, or meeting alternative requirements set within broad federal guidelines by the states. Those requirements--known by the acronym HOUSSE for high, objective, uniform state standards--vary among the states, as do certification requirements. Almost since President Bush signed the law in January 2002, local and state officials have voiced their concerns regarding the "highly qualified" provision for middle school teachers. Disruption and perhaps shortages would result, especially in urban and rural settings, where teacher labor pools are smaller. Proponents of the provision, on the other hand, warned that states might use the legislation's flexibility to relax the standard where it is needed most.