Who's urging the US to raise teachers' status?

Just the rest of the world. Or at least the OECD - the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Their top suggestion: “Make a concerted effort to raise the status of the teaching profession."
But where can schools make necessary budget cuts to pay the best teachers the best salaries? According to the OECD, cutting areas where the US spends disproportionately compared to other countries, namely transportation and athletic facilities.