Oklahoma teachers still one of the lowest paid

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A new report shows Oklahoma teachers are still among the lowest-paid in the nation. <br><br>The National Education Association ranks Oklahoma at 47th in the nation for public school

Thursday, May 22nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A new report shows Oklahoma teachers are still among the lowest-paid in the nation.

The National Education Association ranks Oklahoma at 47th in the nation for public school teacher pay. Last year the organization ranked the state 44th.

The rankings are based on salaries collected from the 2001 to 2002 school year.

The average teacher salary in Oklahoma is just over $34,700 a year. California tops the list, with an average salary of more than $54,300.

Governor Henry says Oklahoma has some of the best teachers in the country, but hasn't done a great job of compensating them.

He says better work on salaries is needed to keep other states from raiding Oklahoma for talent.

The report doesn't adjust for cost of living, but state schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett says even with a cost-of-living adjustment, Oklahoma ranks near the bottom.