Deal signs Enduring HOPE

Joined by a bipartisan group of legislators, Gov. Nathan Deal today (March 15) signed the Enduring HOPE legislation.

“With today’s signing, we have closed a $300 million shortfall in the next year, we have pulled HOPE and Georgia Pre-K from the brink of bankruptcy and we have preserved our state’s elite status for having the most generous benefit programs in the nation,” said Deal. “Georgians are blessed to have legislative leaders who put aside politics to craft a new law of generational importance.”



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2010 Siemens Teacher Scholarships Awarded

/PRNewswire/ -- The Siemens Foundation announced the winners of the 2010 Siemens Teacher Scholarship today in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The program provides scholarships to students enrolled in the nation's public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities who are pursuing teaching careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).

This unique program provides scholars with a fun, laboratory-style teaching opportunity through the Siemens Foundation's Siemens Science Day program (www.siemensscienceday.com), a nationwide initiative in partnership with Discovery Education that has reached more than 54,000 elementary and middle school students in 36 states since its inception in 2006. This year's scholars taught classrooms from New York to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"We know the value of good teachers, and we're committed to encouraging scholars who want to teach vital STEM subjects," said Jeniffer Harper-Taylor, Vice President of the Siemens Foundation and graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. "Our Siemens Teacher Scholars have shown the type of enthusiasm and drive in science and technology that will inspire our next generation of innovators to pursue their dreams."

Mehrin Gadit, a senior Biology/Secondary Education major at York College, City University of New York, visited P.S. 120 in New York City to conduct her Siemens Science Day with fourth graders. "This was my first time interacting with students of this age, better yet my first time teaching them," she said. Mehrin's experiment helped students gain an understanding of how botanists define fruits, and about plant reproduction. "It is great that students get to exercise science by doing and discovering their own knowledge, instead of teachers lecturing to them. Inquiry-based lessons open up the mind of the student, letting them explore their options," she said.

"The Siemens Foundation's investment in increasing the pipeline of highly-qualified minority teachers in STEM fields directly addresses the national call to higher education to produce the caliber of students that will shape the future," said Dr. N. Joyce Payne, Founder, Thurgood Marshall College Fund. "Thurgood Marshall College Fund is proud to join efforts with the Siemens Foundation that has a long history of support of excellence in education, particularly in science and mathematics."

Morayo Adebiyi, a junior biology major at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, described her Siemens Science Day at nearby middle school: "I purposely targeted a school where the students were not performing well in the areas of science and math. My idea was to help these students develop a passion for these subjects and allow them to apply what they learned to their everyday lives." Morayo's activity helped students learn about elasticity and kinetic energy. Students learned how the height from which a ball is dropped affects how high it bounces. Students also learned about averaging and graphing. She brought a basketball to class so that the students could apply these topics to a game they all know and love. "This experience allowed me to be aware of the immediate need for passionate teachers in my community," she said.

A complete list of the 2010 Siemens Teacher Scholarship recipients follows:

Alabama A&M University
Britney White (Mathematics)

Alabama State University
Deshawn Sutton (Biology)
Hartrice Walker (Special Education)

Benedict College
Tinika Jacobs (Elementary Education)

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Charles Yongu (Elementary Education)

Claflin University
Tiasha Jones (Chemistry)
Walter Lee (Middle-Level Education)
April McPherson (Mathematics Education)
Devin Washington (Middle-Level Education)
Robert Platts (Mathematics Education)

Elizabeth City State University
Tiwana Walton (Mathematics Education)

Florida Memorial University
Ingrid Louis (Elementary Education)

Harris - Stowe State University
Deontrel Brownlee (Secondary Education)
Mary Davis (Elementary Education)
Michael Roessler (Secondary Mathematics)
Rico Smith (Teacher Education - Mathematics)
Lorinda Weinrich (Biology, Secondary Science)

Jackson State University
Zackery Hodge (Elementary Education)
Dzondria Tarver (Elementary Education)

Langston University
Aleshia Richardson (Mathematics Education)

LeMoyne-Owen College
Kimberly Nailor (Education)

Norfolk State University
Candace Myrick (Education)

North Carolina Central University
Tremain Holloway (Mathematics Secondary Education)
Timothy McAllister (Elementary Education)

Spelman College
Morayo Adebiyi (Biology)
Brittany Harris (Biology)
Monique Merritt (Biology)

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Phylicia Gibbs (Mathematics Education)

University of the Virgin Islands
Rhashaunda Charles (Elementary Education)
Daniella Henry (Education)

Winston-Salem State University
Kari Dixon (Mathematics)

York College, City University of New York
Jasmaine Calizaire (Education)
Mehrin Gadit (Biology, Secondary Education)

Siemens Foundation

The Siemens Foundation provides more than $7 million annually in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the United States. Its signature programs include the Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, Siemens Awards for Advanced Placement, and The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, which encourages K-12 students to develop innovative green solutions for environmental issues. In February 2010 the Siemens Foundation launched its newest initiative, The Siemens STEM Academy, a national STEM education program for teachers designed to support educators in their efforts to foster student achievement in these fields. By supporting outstanding students today, and recognizing the teachers and schools that inspire their excellence, the Foundation helps nurture tomorrow's scientists and engineers. The Foundation's mission is based on the culture of innovation, research and educational support that is the hallmark of Siemens' U.S. companies and its parent company, Siemens AG. For further information, visit www.siemens-foundation.org.

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Poll: Voters Value College Quality, Access

Voters give high marks to Georgia’s four-year colleges and universities, and they believe higher education budget cuts should be minimized even in difficult economic times, according to a public opinion poll released today by ARCHE, the Atlanta Regional Council for Higher Education.

The poll documents that Georgia voters recognize the importance of public and private colleges and universities to economic development and to Georgia’s national reputation. They also recognize the importance of scientific research to the state. And they support funding – even from their own pockets – for enhanced quality of education and financial aid for students who need it.

The online poll of 600 registered Georgia voters was conducted in late November and early December 2008. At the 95 percent confidence level, the margin of error is +/- 4.0 percent for questions reporting the full sample. The poll is available in full on the ARCHE Web site at http://www.atlantahighered.org/Portals/12/UploadFiles/ARCHEpoll09web.pdf.

“Voters value great colleges and universities in Georgia, they want them to be even better, and they’re willing to pay for increased quality and access,” said ARCHE President Michael A. Gerber. “They want Georgia to be a national higher ed leader, although they’re not quite sure we’re there yet.”

Quality: Almost eight out of 10 Georgia voters rate the quality of the state’s four-year public and private colleges and universities as excellent or good (79 percent for the public institutions and 78 percent for the private institutions).

Leadership: Ninety-three percent say it is very or somewhat important for Georgia to be a national leader in the quality of its colleges. Forty-nine percent agree that Georgia is currently a national leader; 37 percent disagree; and 14 percent don’t know.

Importance to Georgians: Nearly all voters think higher education is important in shaping individual success, economic growth and quality of life in Georgia. For example, 96 percent rate Georgia’s colleges and universities very or somewhat important to economic growth in the state.

Funding quality: Eighty percent of voters believe that state budget cuts to public colleges and universities should be minimized, even during today’s economic downturn. Almost two thirds (65 percent) are willing to pay $1 more a week in taxes if the money goes to enhance the quality of education for college students.

Tuition: A majority (56 percent) favor increasing tuition at public institutions if it supports academic programs and need-based student financial aid. About half (49 percent) would suspend the state’s “fixed for four” tuition program for public colleges to avoid cutting programs and lowering quality.

Financial aid and college cost: Nearly eight in 10 Georgia voters support using lottery surplus funds for new financial aid for students who need it (78 percent support such a program). More than half (56 percent) would pay $1 more per week in taxes to fund additional low- and middle-income student aid in the state.

More than half (59 percent) say a college education is somewhat or very unaffordable without a HOPE scholarship.

Plans for college: Ninety-five percent of parents believe it’s very or somewhat likely that their school-age child will enroll in a four-year college. Of these, 94 percent say it is very or somewhat likely their child would attend a college or university in Georgia.

Research: A large majority (88 percent) think research is very or somewhat important to the state’s economy. Eighty-nine percent believe it very or somewhat important that the state invest in research to create new jobs, and 79 percent agree the state should offer financial incentives to attract new scientific research labs and companies.

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College Students, Parents May Reduce Taxes Based on College Expenses

/PRNewswire/ -- USA Funds(R), the nation's leading education loan guarantor, advises families that paid college expenses during 2008 that they may qualify for deductions or credits when they file their federal income tax returns.

"In recent years the U.S. Congress has enacted and extended measures to provide federal income tax benefits for families that pay tuition, fees and other higher education expenses," said Carl C. Dalstrom, USA Funds president and CEO. "USA Funds urges taxpayers to consider potential tax benefits that may apply to them as they prepare their 2008 income tax returns."

Among changes in the higher education tax benefits for the 2008 tax year are the following items:

Deduction for higher education expenses. Late last year Congress extended for the 2008 and 2009 tax years this deduction, which was scheduled to expire. Taxpayers may qualify to deduct from their taxable income up to $4,000 in tuition and fees that they paid during the year. Taxpayers do not have to itemize deductions to claim this benefit, but their modified adjusted gross income must be $80,000 or less -- $160,000 or less for married taxpayers filing joint returns -- to qualify for this deduction.

Hope and Lifetime Learning credits. The maximum Hope credit has increased to $1,800, up from $1,650 for the previous tax year. In addition, the maximum income permitted to qualify for the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits has been increased by $1,000 for single taxpayers and by $2,000 for joint filers. Single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of less than $58,000, and married taxpayers filing jointly with incomes of less than $116,000, now qualify for at least a partial credit. The Hope credit permits taxpayers to reduce their taxes for out-of-pocket tuition and fees for each of the first two years of postsecondary study. The Lifetime Learning credit provides a maximum $2,000 credit based on qualified tuition and related expenses paid for any year of postsecondary study. Taxpayers in portions of 10 Midwestern states that were declared federal disaster areas last summer may quality for higher Hope and Lifetime Learning credits.

Higher income limits for joint filers to qualify for student loan interest deduction. Taxpayers who paid interest on qualified student loans during 2008 may be eligible to deduct up to $2,500 from their taxable income. The income limits for married couples filing joint returns to qualify for this deduction have increased by $5,000. Single taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of less than $70,000, and married taxpayers who file joint tax returns reporting modified adjusted incomes of less than $145,000, may qualify for at least a partial deduction.

Other higher education tax benefits. Taxpayers also should consider potential tax savings based on earnings from so-called 529 college savings plans and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, as well as employer-paid education benefits.

To help students and parents take advantage of these benefits, USA Funds offers a summary of these higher education tax benefits on its Web site at www.usafunds.org/taxbenefits. USA Funds also provides a brochure "Higher Education Tax Benefits - Expanded Taxpayer Savings," which is available free of charge from many colleges, universities and private career colleges.

USA Funds recommends that taxpayers consult with a qualified tax adviser or the Internal Revenue Service to determine their eligibility for any of these tax benefits.

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Loss of SACS Accreditation Won't Prevent Clayton County Students from Applying to Georgia Southern

Georgia Southern University shares the concern of students and parents regarding the loss of SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accreditation by the Clayton County School System.

Admission to Georgia Southern University for Clayton County School System high school graduates is not negatively impacted with the loss of accreditation.

Current University System of Georgia policy allows for the consideration of students graduating from a high school regulated by a school system and state department of education. The Clayton County School System continues to meet this requirement.

Students graduating from a Clayton County high school, meeting all other Board of Regents and institutional admission requirements (including the 16 units required of the College Preparatory Curriculum (for those graduating prior to 2012) or the 17 units required for the Required High School Curriculum (for those graduating 2012 or later), will continue to be considered for admission in the same manner as students from SACS accredited schools in the state. An update regarding the HOPE scholarship for graduates of Clayton County Schools can be found at https://www.gsfc.org/main/ga411info/news_050508.cfm?GUID=

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Governor Perdue, Georgia Lottery Officials Announce Milestone Achievement

Today (July 15, 2008) Governor Sonny Perdue joined Georgia Lottery Corporation President and CEO Margaret DeFrancisco at Georgia Lottery headquarters to announce that it has transferred a total of $10 billion for education to the state of Georgia since the lottery’s inception in 1993.

“Today, we mark $10 billion in total that the Georgia Lottery has contributed to education in Georgia since it was launched in 1993,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “In those fifteen years, we’ve seen record payouts, record ticket sales and, now, this staggering contribution to the future of Georgia’s children and our state as a whole.”

The Georgia Lottery has experienced extraordinary success as one of only two traditional lotteries in the nation to experience 10 consecutive years of growth in profits.

“The Georgia Lottery Corporation has a success formula that works and delivers results for Georgia’s students and families,” DeFrancisco said. “Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarships and Pre-K Programs have made a fundamental difference in the lives of so many Georgians. The transfer of our $10 billionth dollar to education is a tremendous accomplishment that we can all celebrate.”

DeFrancisco presented Governor Perdue with an oversized check for $10 billion made payable to “Georgia Students” during today’s ceremony.

The Georgia Lottery’s fiscal year 2008 profits transferred to the State Treasury’s Lottery for Education Account amount to $858,355,000, surpassing last year’s record transfer by more than $4.8 million.

Georgia Lottery sales for fiscal year 2008, which spanned from July 1, 2007 to June, 30, 2008, totaled $3,519,341,000 – the highest in the lottery’s 15-year history and more than $97.6 million ahead of the previous sales record of $3.42 billion in fiscal year 2007.

The mission of the Georgia Lottery Corporation is to raise revenue for education in Georgia. Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned over $10.1 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Prekindergarten Program. More than 1 million students have received HOPE, and more than 860,000 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.