NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee is among seven states that have received extended No Child Left Behind waivers.

The education law expired in 2007, though its mandates remained in place.

Critics have complained there is too much testing and the law is too punitive for schools deemed to be failing. The Obama administration began issuing waivers to dozens of states to get around some of the law's strictest requirements when it became clear they would not be met.

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday that Tennessee is getting an additional four years of flexibility and three years of flexibility for Alaska, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey and Oregon. As requested by Utah's State Office of Education, the state is receiving a one-year renewal.

The department said each of the states is taking important steps toward ensuring that all children have the opportunities they deserve.