Fri., March 19, 2010 8:19am (EDT)

Georgia Makes Case for Education Dollars

By Mary Ellen Cheatham

Updated: 3 years ago

AUGUSTA, Ga.  —   State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox says she's confident that Georgia officials this week adequately made their case to the federal government about why Georgia should a cut of $4.3 billion in stimulus money.

Georgia is a finalist for the competitive funding, known as Race to the Top, along with 14 other states and Washington, D.C. Cox says that comes in part because Governor Sonny Perdue wants pay increases for Georgia teachers to be based on a controversial merit system.

Cox and Perdue and were among a five member team that went to Washington this week, making presentations to a panel that will decide who gets the money.

The finalist states are being judged on education reforms and innovation. The U.S. Department of Education will award the stimulus funds.