This week, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation that softened the transition to lower class sizes in kindergarten through third grade.

School districts are mandated to reduce maximum class sizes in these grades from 24 to 23 as of next year. In 2018-2019, that number must be further reduced to 19-21 students, depending on grade level. School superintendents are also required to report to the state more frequently on a district’s progress toward meeting the mandate on class sizes.

The legislation, a revised version of the original House Bill 13, was passed in response to unintended consequences stemming from the legislature’s class-size mandate in 2016. Districts were faced with the need for more personnel without the funding to do it, and some would be forced to cut ancillary positions, such as art, music and physical education teachers.

This new legislation gives schools two years to make the changes, and legislators also agreed to look into funding specifically for ancillary positions. Dr. Don Phipps, Beaufort County Schools superintendent, described the changes as “more manageable” and said he is grateful the General Assembly listened to its constituents.

Legislators no doubt needed to make changes to avoid the unintended consequences of its 2016 law. They did the right thing in taking a second look.

The next test, however, is perhaps the most important. Will the legislators hold to their word and find funds for the secondary positions? The General Assembly is often a vacuum of empty promises — just ask the educators who were promised substantial raises in years past.

Every year, finding money for the schools is a problem. As the General Assembly tightens its belt, so the districts have to make painful cuts. It’s happening at all levels of education.

These legislators, no matter the political party, have a lot to prove. Bottom line: students are depending on them to make the right choice.

Let’s hope this promise isn’t another empty disappointment.