The availability of that $5 billion is what motivated many members of the state education community to push lawmakers into passing House Bill 2261. It also drove a wedge between the 82,000-member Washington Education Assocation (teachers union) and parents, school administrators and others.

By a vote of 67-31, the House on Monday night approved changes the Senate made to the bill, and sent it to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who had lobbied for it and therefore is expected to sign it.

The bill broadens the definition of "basic education" and obliges the state to spend more money on schools, but the major expenditures won't happen until beyond 2011.

Rep. Skip Priest, R-Federal Way, was one of the members of the Education Finance Task Force that spent most of a couple years working on the bill.

"These reforms are not about us; they are about the kids," said Priest. "We are required to do all we can to give every child a chance to excel in whatever career path he or she chooses. This legislation will give us more confidence the state is moving closer to that point."

Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, was co-chairman of the task force and co-sponsor of the Education Reform bill: "One of the most important changes we’ve accomplished is to expand the definition of basic education. This definition establishes our legal responsibility as legislators to fund our education system based on what we’re asking of our children. If we ask them to earn a diploma that prepares them for their future, we have to be willing to fund it."

More of their remarks appear further below.

And here's the reaction from the League of Education Voters, which has been pushing this measure in some fashion for years.

League of Education Voters applauds passage of the education reform bill

[More:]

SEATTLE – Washington’s students, educators and parents achieved an historic victory today. The state Legislature passed the education reform bill, ESHB 2261.

“This is an historic day 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.”

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

“We applaud the Legislature for establishing a clear plan to achieve the world-class education system that our children deserve,” said Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of the League of Education Voters. “The new definition of basic education will empower the public to hold our lawmakers accountable for the tools and resources our children need today to succeed.”

“Achieving this victory for kids has been a long and difficult journey,” said Kelly Munn, state field director for the League of Education Voters. “We would not be here without the passion and persistence of thousands of parents, educators and students.”

A broad-coalition of education advocates supported ESHB 2261, including the League of Education Voters, Washington State PTA, State Board of Education, Stand for Children, Washington Roundtable, TechAmerica, Partnership for Learning, Black Education Strategy Roundtable, numerous school boards and superintendents from across the state, and countless others.

“We know schools and educators have been facing tough challenges coping with the budget cuts,” Korsmo said. “These reforms will help us rebuild a stronger education system with more funding from the state, and positions us to compete for $5 billion in federal funds dedicated to innovation in our public schools.”

ESHB 2261 now goes to the governor’s desk, where it is expected to be signed into law.

Here are Priest's remarks:

Landmark education reforms move closer to reality
Funding formulas, definition of 'basic education' would change
under House Bill 2261

A boulder was pushed downhill today with the passage of long-awaited education reform legislation. Rep. Skip Priest co-sponsored House Bill 2261, which would place into law many of the recommendations from the bipartisan, two-year-long Basic Education Finance Task Force.

The bill, if signed by the governor, would begin phasing-in updates to the K-12 education system beginning in 2011. The reforms include a new definition of "basic education" and a restructured funding formula.

"We could not have moved this measure forward without the support of education advocates statewide," said Priest, who served on the task force. "Taking meaningful steps today to put our system on the right path is critical. The legislation takes into account the current economy, but makes the commitment to begin necessary updates to school funding as we move out of the recession. It also creates a structure for greater school accountability and ensures all children get the education they deserve to become successful."

Washington's Constitution is clear, the Federal Way lawmaker added, that education is the "paramount duty" of the state. He believes House Bill 2261 moves the state closer to living up to the mandate that the Legislature must make "ample provisions" for K-12 education.

"These reforms are not about us; they are about the kids," said Priest. "We are required to do all we can to give every child a chance to excel in whatever career path he or she chooses. This legislation will give us more confidence the state is moving closer to that point."

One of the elements in the bill Priest believes is critical is the phase-in of early education for at-risk children.

"Helping children we worry the most about on a path to be prepared for kindergarten and ready to learn is something we know is good for them and our schools," said Priest. "I believe early learning is a smart investment in the future."

As amended House Bill 2261 would:

· Phase-in funding allowing high school students the opportunity to achieve 24 credits and six classes per day;

· Establish early learning for at-risk children and transportation as part of the new definition of "basic education;"

· Create a transparent funding system for both allocations and expenditures so that not only policymakers and educators understand how the state supports basic education, but also taxpayers;

· Create work groups to make recommendations on how best to spend local levy money, how teachers are hired and compensated, and how to phase-in early learning;

· Require the Board of Education to create a comprehensive system for improvements targeted at challenged schools and districts that have not demonstrated sufficient improvement through the voluntary system; and

· Assign the Professional Educator Standards Board to create performance standards for teachers.

"A lot of incredible and thoughtful work went into the changes we approved today. We owe a great deal of thanks to the League of Education Voters, Stand for Children, Washington State Parent Teacher Association, Public School Employees, Superintendents, State Board of Education, our school librarians and many more folks who care deeply about our children and their education. It was an extraordinary effort and a lot of good work was done to move these landmark reforms forward," Priest said.

The bill will now be sent to the governor for her consideration to be signed into law.

Here are Ross Hunter's remarks:

Statement from Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) regarding last night’s passage of HB 2261, the basic education finance bill he co-sponsored:

“Today marks an important milestone in a three-year journey dedicated to improving how we fund education in Washington state.

“House Bill 2261 represents the important first steps in rebuilding our K-12 funding infrastructure. One of the most important changes we’ve accomplished is to expand the definition of basic education. This definition establishes our legal responsibility as legislators to fund our education system based on what we’re asking of our children. If we ask them to earn a diploma that prepares them for their future, we have to be willing to fund it.

“In approving the bill today, we’ve ensured a new level of transparency and clarity in budgeting. This bill sets up a new budgeting system that more appropriately calculates the amount of money necessary to fund our education system and makes it clear what we’re asking schools to do.

“This bill also sets a clear timeline for implementing the changes. Changes that affect one million kids and accounts for more than 40 percent of our state budget will take time and thoughtful effort. We account for that here.

“From the 18 months I spent on the Washington Learns advisory committee to my 18 months on the Basic Education Funding Task Force, I’m proud to see the work of so many dedicated parents, teachers, legislators, administrators and others moving forward today. We aren’t putting another study on the shelf or punting an important decision to a task force. We’re making a solid commitment to our children that their education matters and we’re willing to walk the talk.”