OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Latest on teachers rallying for higher pay and education funding in several Republican-led states across the U.S. (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
A group of Oklahoma educators plans to march 110 miles to raise awareness of their demands for more classroom spending.
More than 100 teachers, parents and their supporters plan to start walking from Tulsa to the state Capitol in Oklahoma City on Wednesday to call attention to the state's low student funding. Participants will include Tulsa Superintendent Dr. Deb Gist, Oklahoma Education Association Vice President Katherine Bishop and National Education Association Secretary Treasurer Princess Moss.
The seven-day march will begin on the third day of a statewide teacher walkout in which thousands of teachers have converged on the Capitol demanding that lawmakers increase funding for education
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week that provided 15 to 18 percent salary increases for teachers, but teachers say more is needed.
1:20 p.m.
Oklahoma's largest school districts are closing for a third day in anticipation of a continued walkout by teachers demanding more funding for classrooms.
School districts in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman said Tuesday they will cancel classes for Wednesday as teachers travel to the state Capitol and press their demands. Additional school districts across the state have also canceled classes.
Oklahoma's largest teacher's union hasn't said when demonstrations will end.
Thousands of teachers converged on the Capitol Monday and Tuesday after similar demonstrations in West Virginia, where teachers walked out before winning a 5 percent raise. Teachers in Kentucky protested Monday over changes to their pension plans.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week granting 15 to 18 percent salary increases for teachers, but teachers say more is needed.
11 a.m.
Rowdy Oklahoma teachers are voicing their disapproval after lawmakers failed to take up new revenue-raising measures for public school classrooms.
Teachers chanting “Fund our schools” inside the Capitol. #OklahomaTeachers #oklaedwalkout pic.twitter.com/5ESKDAOm3Q
— Mycah Hatfield KJRH (@MycahHatfield) April 3, 2018
Hundreds of teachers crowded into the State Capitol on Tuesday in the second day of a teacher walkout to demand additional funding for schools.
I thought the turnout was less today until I walked outside of the Capitol. There are thousands of people lined up trying to get in. #oklaedwalkout #oklaed pic.twitter.com/Oq2XhXznNr
— Mycah Hatfield KJRH (@MycahHatfield) April 3, 2018
Teachers booed when members of the Oklahoma House adjourned without taking up Senate-approved revenue bills. House officials initially called on state troopers to clear the gallery of protesting teachers but later backed off.
Education advocates and teachers have filled the Capitol to capacity and troopers are limiting access to the building.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week granting 15 to 18 percent salary increases for teachers, but teachers say more is needed.
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10:25 a.m.
Hundreds of teachers have crammed into the Oklahoma Capitol for a second day chanting to press demands for additional funding for the state's public schools.
Schools across the state are closed Tuesday to honor the teacher walkout. Thousands of teachers and supporters surrounded the Capitol on Monday. Teachers in Kentucky also protested Monday over changes to their pension plans.
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin signed legislation last week granting 15 to 18 percent salary increases for teachers. But the National Education Association says Oklahoma ranks 47th among states and the District of Columbia in public school revenue per student while its average teacher salary of $45,276 ranked 49th before the latest raises.
The demonstration was inspired by West Virginia, where teachers walked out before winning a 5 percent raise.
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12 a.m.
Many schools are closing for a second day in Oklahoma as teachers continue to rally for higher pay and education funding.
While state lawmakers raised teacher pay by 15 to 18 percent last week, many Oklahoma teachers say it is not enough.
In Kentucky, teachers rallied at the state Capitol in Frankfort Monday after the Legislature passed cuts to pensions for new teachers. Legislative leaders proposed increasing education spending as part of the state's budget in a move to calm the rebellion that has stretched across the country.
The protests were inspired by West Virginia teachers winning a 5 percent raise after going on strike. Arizona teachers are now considering a strike over their demands for a 20 percent salary increase.
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