As Arizona kids head back to school, let's all chant we're No. 48!

Add another honor for Arizona's public education system.

Yet another survey ranks our schools among the nation's worst.

WalletHub, a financial services website, ranked the states and Washington D.C. in 13 key areas.

Turns out we were below average in every category, from math and reading test scores (36th and 46th) to pupil-teacher ratio (a dismal 49th).

Overall, we ranked 48th. But we dominated over Washington D.C., Nevada and Alaska.

Not bad, I suppose, for a state that kicks in less to educate its students than any other in the country.

WalletHub noted that while funding doesn't necessarily determine quality, money is "certainly helpful".

"States that invest more dollars in education benefit not only their residents but also their economies," the study noted. "The Economic Policy Institute reported that income is higher in states where the workforce is well educated and thus more productive. With better earnings, workers in turn can contribute more taxes to beef up state budgets over the long run."

This, of course, is no surprise. Respected people all over Arizona have been shaking their heads in dismay over what is happening to public education in Arizona, where public schools have been systematically starved by politicians who don't seem to value public education.

Never mind that a well-educated workforce is key to boosting Arizona's economy.

It's worth noting that as the state's commitment to public education has dropped, so has our per-capita income. According to the Bureau of Business & Economic Research, Arizona now ranks 41st in the nation in per-capita income. That's down from 32nd in 2007 -- back when our leaders actually valued public education, back before this obsession with continually cutting taxes and reducing spending got started.

Meanwhile, the state has a $266 million surplus and another $460 million in the rainy-day fund. But the state can't seem to find the cash to pony up the $331 million in inflation funding that a judge has ruled the schools have been shorted for the coming school year.

Legislative leaders – who have spent the last decade merrily cutting taxes to the tune of several billion dollars – have said we're too poor to pony up $331 million. This, as the latest round of tax cuts went into place earlier this month – another $112 million in corporate cuts.

But not to worry, folks. Gov. Doug Ducey – who in 2012 led the drive to kill a sales tax for schools – has proposed temporarily putting an extra $300 per student into K-12 education….

…in two years or so…

… assuming that voters approve of the idea.

Lest you get too giddy about the prospect of an extra $300 per student for five years and half that for another five, know that Arizona is $3,500 per student below the national average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Still, it's a start. Under Ducey's plan, Arizona would temporarily surge ahead from the worst-funded state for public education to the second worst-funded state for public education, according to Census figures.

I get lightheaded just thinking about the altitude shift.