Quality teachers are one of the most important factors in student achievement. Yet since the recession, the real value of teacher salaries (adjusted for inflation) has decreased in the majority of states. At the heart of the teacher salary issue are growing funding inequities among the states. Some states may need to invest more in education to raise baseline levels. But it will not be enough just to throw more money at the problem. States also need to take a thoughtful look at how well and how equitably all resources are allocated. This paper examines the following issues: (1) Funding trends over the last 50 years; (2) Low salaries and teacher shortages; (3) Greater hiring challenges associated with lower pay; (4) New approaches for salary equity; and (5) How people, time, and money are allocated to create learning experiences that enable all students.