Keep in mind that these graphs use a logarithmic scale on the Y-axis so that steady decline in the beginning of each graph represents accelerating exponential change in the field.From 2001 to 2007, ...

As the graph below shows (it can also be found here) China is way out ahead in the status accorded to teachers, with the U.S. and the U.K. mid-table, just as they are in the performance tables.