Loophole in NCLB

An article in Education Weekly reports that a group of California parents, students and community groups is suing the U.S. Department of Education for allowing alternative-route teachers who are not yet certified to be designated as “highly qualified” under the No Child Left Behind Act. The federal law states that teachers must be highly qualified to teach. That means must be fully certified in the area in which they are hired to teach. Well some districts are getting away with a loophole! I read in Education Weekly that Education Department regulations allow uncertified candidates who are in alternative-route programs to teach for up to three years while still seeking certification. "These are teachers who have come through one month of boot camp in an alternative program and are thrown into classrooms as full-time teachers.” I don't know about any of you but as a teacher I am outraged by this! I spent many years and a lot of money working to get my provisional credentials. Then once I was hired I worked hard to complete my masters within the time allotted to be permanently certified. I am really concerned that districts are hiring people who have not spent at least 3 semesters studying and student teaching. Does anybody else have a strong opinion on this matter?