RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Days before a North Carolina appeals court takes up whether every needy child must be given pre-kindergarten education that prepares them for a successful school career, state lawmakers are walking back from language that prompted the lawsuit.

Senate leader Phil Berger says lawmakers are reversing last year's changes to the North Carolina Pre-K program that a judge ruled violated the state's duty to give every child a chance at a sound, basic education.

The Legislature last year limited the number of spots for at-risk youngsters and required parents to co-pay up to 10 percent of their income for their children to participate.

Senators now want to remove those requirements. A lawsuit brought on by that language will be argued before the state Court of Appeals next week.