LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska education officials are moving forward in seeking a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Nebraska, one of the few states that has not sought a waiver, hopes to have an application by April.

State education officials have been talking with federal education officials about it for months. On Thursday, the Nebraska State Board of Education discussed a draft statement indicating its intent to apply for the waiver.

It’s the first time the board has said it definitely wants to start the application process.

More than 40 states have waivers from the federal law, which requires 100 percent proficiency in reading and math by this year. The waivers allow states flexibility from the law’s requirements and sanctions.