Long-awaited changes to the nation’s K-12 policy got one huge step closer to completion Thursday.

Legislation that would alter No Child Left Behind passed through a conference committee of House and Senate members, with only one of the 40 committee members opposed: Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. Having already been through a months-long legislative process, the smooth, two-day conference committee was surely a relief for members and staff on the House and Senate education committees.