Title: The 9 states where teachers have it worst - CBS News
Headings: The 9 states where teachers have it worst
The 9 states where teachers have it worst
Arizona
Michigan
North Carolina
Colorado
Indiana

Content: Michigan is one of 12 states that cut general funding by at least 7 percent more per student over the last decade, the CBPP notes. The state has also cut income tax rates, which makes it more challenging to fund schools. North Carolina
Teachers in North Carolina are planning an advocacy day on May 16 to highlight their concerns, according to statements from the state's teacher union. The state's educators earn just shy of $50,000 per year on average, slightly below the national figure. But their annual pay has declined almost 12 percent since 1999-2000, after adjusting for inflation. State tax cuts have been problematic for the state, according to the CBPP, which found that North Carolina is among the 7 states that have both reduced general school funding and cut income taxes. Colorado
Teachers in this Western state are struggling with both low pay and salaries that have fallen by 15 percent on an inflation-adjusted basis since the 1999-2000 school year. The average annual earnings for a Colorado teacher stand at $46,506, or the 5th lowest in the nation, and 21 percent below the national average. Denver teachers can't afford "basic essentials, like health insurance, child care and a mortgage," according to its union, which said its members are prepared to strike. One Denver teacher said he opted out of paying $425 a month for health insurance for several of the six years he's taught, citing money pressures.