It was a packed field house and standing room only as hundreds of parents and educators rallied Thursday to call for an increase in education funding levels equal to the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

The Rally to Restore Education Funding began at 6:30 p.m. at Edison Preparatory School, 2906 E. 41st St.

They argue that since the economic recovery seems to be real, it's time to restore education funding to pre-recession levels.

"I am here because I used to be a public school teacher and I have two young children that are in two different Tulsa Public Schools," says Lakrisa Lockhart.

She tells KRMG that she is hopeful and really happy to see so many people attend the rally.

Two groups organized the rally, Oklahoma Kids First and 49th is not OK.

The latter name refers to Oklahoma's ranking as 49th in the nation in terms of education funding per student.

Dr. Keith Ballard, Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools and Tulsa Classroom Teachers Association President Lynn Stockley were among the featured speakers.

District sources say TPS faces cuts of 75 to 80 teachers by next school year if it doesn't receive an increase in funding.

However, some argue that the problem in Oklahoma lies in small, rural school districts with few students and too many highly-paid administrators, which bring the per-student funding level down significantly.

Lockhart hopes lawmakers heard the message from tonight's event, "You know, that is all we can do but I have been told that this is what it really takes to change minds."

Another parent, Scott Carter who attended the rally is convinced tonight will make a difference.

"Whether it makes a difference in this legislative sessions is inmaterial because we are going to orgnaize, we are going to make sure that we get the funding that is necessary for our kids to have a good future and a future for our state."