Dave, you need to look at the methodology of their research, which you obviously did not. Rankings were largely based on the amount of AP and/or IB classes offered at the school. Texas has some of the worst school statistics in the nation. To seriously compare Texas to Pennsylania is ludicrous.

Here are some stats on high school graduation rates and dropout rates.

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/cr_baeo_t2.htm

Now, do you want to compare Pennsyvlania to Texas or make other comparisons based on high school graduation rates and dropout rates to teacher salaries?