School funding advocates are celebrating the passage of a bill which they say will guarantee the protection of school programs and funding levels in the future.

Late last month the state Legislature passed the education reform bill, ESHB 2261.

ESHB 2261 would commit the state to fully implement and fund a new definition of basic education by the 2018-19 school year.

“This is an historic victory for one million public school kids in our state,” said Chris Korsmo, executive director of the League of Education Voters. “For the first time in 30 years, we’ve re-defined basic education to include the tools our educators need to prepare our kids for college, work and life.

Early learning, stronger graduation requirements and a longer school day will improve outcomes for children from preschool through higher education.”

A broad-coalition of education advocates supported ESHB 2261.