WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says his new reforms to the No Child Left Behind education law are aimed at improving standards for students, not doing away with standards.

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Obama is giving states the flexibility to opt out of central provisions of the federal law. States that qualify for a waiver will have to show they have a plan to help low-performing schools.

The law is a signature initiative of George W. Bush's presidency, but has become increasingly unpopular.

Obama says the goals of No Child Left Behind - including higher standards and accountability - are admirable. But he says the implementation of the bill has been flawed.