Oklahoma tribes help on education shortfall, hopeful for future

TULSA, Okla.-Teachers of Native American students were among those frustrated and disappointed by the results of the recent teacher walk-out in Oklahoma to demand better pay and increased education funding. While teachers, parents and administrators had hoped for state lawmakers to pass bills providing $3.3 billion, the bills generated a $479 million increase.

Factoring for inflation, since 2008, Oklahoma has decreased the per pupil funding by 28 percent and teacher salaries are lower than any other state.

About 16 percent, or 130,000, of Oklahoma students are Native American, the largest perc...