Some teachers who have been working in Missouri’s schools since before 1988 will need to prove to the federal government they are qualified to do what they have been doing for some time. The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has agreed to comply with a portion of the federal “No Child Left Behind Act” because the feds threatened to cut off certain federal money if it didn’t. State Education Commissioner Kent King indicates it’s kind of silly to focus on bsy work instead of improving performance in the classroom. But with $2.25-Million in federal money at stake, King reconsidered his stance and is asking the 16,500 teachers to fill out the one-page form required. He admits the foot-dragging might have been a bit of a matter of principle.