"We're changing the way we are viewing our standards, and it's going deeper rather than wider," says Caryn Cook, a French teacher and Curriculum Coordinator at Warren East High.

Thursday, President Obama allowed ten states, including Kentucky, to have leeway when it comes to the "No Child Left Behind Law," enacted by former President Bush.

Schools have already incorporated a new program that prepares students for colleges and careers while still teaching the base curriculum.

Many students and administrators at Warren East High say the college and career readiness program that was initiated by state lawmakers is raising standards.

"It's not necessarily working harder, it's working in a different direction," says Shea Malone, a Senior at Warren East High.

"We have some experts that give them tips and techniques, we also have on staff people that meet and prepare them for the A-C-T," added Cook.

The relatively new style of curriculum is aimed at testing students on the basics while also preparing them for their future, whether that involves them going to college or jumping straight into the work force.

Students can now attend after school and weekend prep sessions, and take mock college entrance exams online.

Administrators and staff don't think the program is taking away from the classroom experience, but rather, adding to it.

"We are more able to intervene when students could have fallen through the cracks before and try to catch skill gaps, as well as content gaps," says Laura Hudson, a District Intervention Specialist.

Students, agree.

"It's helping because it makes for a well rounded and a more applicable thing that we can use later in the future," says Macy Young, a Sophomore at Warren East High.

The program has even trickled down to the elementary school level.

As part of the "Leader in Me Program" at Briarwood, students can apply for mock jobs like "line leader" and "technology assistant" so they too can start thinking about their future.

"I think there are a lot of families out there where college and career is not discussed until much later in life so we just try to get students thinking about it at a very early age," says Jason Kupchella, the Principal at Briarwood Elementary.

"It teaches you leadership skills and things you'll be doing for the rest of your life," says Anna Scott, a sixth grade student at Briarwood.

Over all, administrators, students, and teachers believe the college and career readiness program is beneficial.

School officials in the bluegrass state have been working for years to change or get rid of "No Child Left Behind."