Lawmakers Lure Math, Science Teachers with More Money

Governor Sonny Perdue's plan to attract more math and science teachers to the state passed the Senate Thursday with flying colors.

Georgia has a critical shortage of teachers in math and science. One estimate says 1,800 are needed by next year.

That's why the governor wants to pay new math and science teachers at the same rate as fourth-year educators for grades six and up. And elementary teachers certified in either field would get a $1,000 bonus as well.

Perdue hopes the incentive drives more educators to the state.

Teachers already working in schools would get the same benefits.

But eligible teachers would have to meet performance standards to keep the extra cash.

Because the Senate made minor changes, the bill now heads back to the House.

Columbus firm makes TIME's 'Best Reinventions'

Claimed range of coverage of aerostat as a wireless station. (Techsphere)

TIME Magazine has named local unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, Techsphere Systems International's SA-68 airship, as one of the "Best Reinventions," of 2007.

CEO Mike Lawson quoted on CNN Money, says of the aerostat:

"We are delighted to be named one of Time Magazine's 'Best Reinventions' of 2007 and after almost four years of development and experimentation with the SA-60 program we are gearing up for flight tests scheduled for the SA-68 in the first quarter 2008."

Techsphere says their craft are meant for surveillance, military and wireless communications uses.

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More math and science next year for high schoolers

Next year's high school freshmen will take more math and science than their predecessors. The changes are expected to be approved next week by the state Board of Education. The goal is to increase Georgia’s high school graduation rate and the number of students entering college. The new rules would do away with the state's four-tiered diploma system that required different classes for students depending on their post-graduation plans.

Georgia lacking science and math teachers

Georgia isn’t producing enough math or science teachers. That’s according to a new report by the University System of Georgia. The report says in the next three years, schools will need nearly seven times more math and science teachers than the state is currently producing. In response, the university system is launching a statewide campaign to boost math, science and engineering graduates from 4,700 to 7,200 over five years.