Most States to Seek Exception to 'No Child Left Behind' Requirements

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Education Departments says a majority of states have notified it that they intend to take President Barack Obama up on his offer to let them get around unpopular proficiency requirements in the education law "No Child Left Behind."

To qualify, the states must submit a plan showing how they will meet certain requirements such as enacting standards to prepare students for college and making teachers and principals more accountable.

A total of 37 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have told the department they'll be submitting a plan.

Obama said last month he was frustrated that Congress didn't act to change the law that he has said is flawed, so he was moving forward with an effort to let qualifying states circumvent it.

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