AUSTIN (February 24, 2013)--More than 2,000 teachers, students, parents and school administrators from around Texas rallied Saturday at the state Capitol to demand the restoration of $5.4 billion in public education cuts the Legislature approved in 2011.

Former state Education Commissioner Robert Scott joined a group of mostly Democratic Texas lawmakers at Saturday's annual event, organized by Save Texas Schools and other advocacy groups.

Turnout appeared lighter than previously hoped, though, with the biannual Legislature now in session.

The 2011 cuts prompted more than 600 school districts to sue, and a judge ruled recently that funding was inadequate and unfairly distributed.

The state is appealing the ruling.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers is discussing the possibility of restoring as much as nearly $1 billion to schools without exceeding current state budget spending limits.