:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59291949/942031526.jpg.0.jpg)
A few weeks ago, public school educators in West Virginia went on strike. Now, teachers in Oklahoma are taking a page from the West Virginia playbook. Thousands of public school teachers have taken to the streets to demand $3.3 billion over the next three years for school funding, benefits, and pay raises for all public employees.
“Oklahoma’s teachers are rebelling against a decade of state tax cuts that triggered deep cuts in education spending,” explained Vox’s Alexia Fernández Campbell, “forcing about 20 percent of public schools to switch to a four-day-week schedule and pushing average teacher salaries to rank 49th in the country. Teachers haven’t gotten a raise in 10 years.”
To add insult to injury, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) compared the overworked and underpaid teachers to “a teenage kid that wants a better car.”
Learn more about the movement and hear from Fernández Campbell on the latest episode of Today, Explained.
Related reading:
- Oklahoma teachers are protesting 10 years of low pay. Here’s what their walkout looks like. (Alexia Fernández Campbell and Kainaz Amaria, Vox)
- The West Virginia teachers strike, explained (Julie Bogen, Vox)
- “I feel mentally numb”: more teachers are working part-time jobs to pay the bills. (Alexia Fernández Campbell, Vox)
- Your state’s teachers are underpaid. Find out by how much. (Alvin Chang, Vox)
How do I get even more Today, Explained?
You can get the news we’re reading throughout the day, facts and stats to make you smarter about the world, and behind-the-scenes photos on Twitter at @Today_Explained. You can follow Sean at @Rameswaram and Alexia at @alexiacampbell.
How do I report a problem?
For all issues or feedback, please email todayexplained@vox.com.
How do I listen?
If you don’t see the player above, you can listen, subscribe, and review Today, Explained on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play Music.
What if I want to listen at home?
If you have Amazon Echo, add Today, Explained to your flash briefing. If you have Google Home, just say, “Hey Google, play the Today, Explained podcast!”
