Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2008 > September > 05 > Entry
9/5: Georgia school super Kathy Cox wins $1 million in “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox proved she is smarter than a 5th grader by winning $1 million for her school system on the third season debut of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” on Fox Friday night.
She was the first person ever to win the big $1 million. Two people tried and got it wrong. Three who got to this point quit and took home $500,000.
[Read about her viewing party and the three schools she’s giving the $1 million to here.]
Cox had no problem parrying Alpharetta resident Jeff Foxworthy, who would torture her on occasion, throwing out wrong answers before giving her the right one in the question asking what country borders Costa Rica. She talked her way through the $1 million question incredibly well and earned the money 100%.
Partway through, Georgia Lt. Govr. Casey Cagle does a video for her: “Hi. Kathy… I don’t want to put any pressure on you but you’re representing the entire state tonight. Jeff, I know you live outside of Atlanta. As your lieutenant governor, I can make life very difficult on you so make life easy on her.” Well, he was. And she represented the state of Georgia amazingly well.
Here are the 10 questions (answers below)
1-What is the first month of the U.S. calendar year that has exactly 30 days? (1st grade measurements) $1,000
2- True or false: crawfish are fish. (2nd grade animal science) $2,000
3- How many times does the letter “D” appear in the following word…um… can’t print the word cos I’ll give it away. The word in question is grandma’s daughter’s little girl. (2nd grade spelling) $5,000
4- What is the two letter abbreviation for the word doctor? (1st grade English) $10,000
5- The U.S. Naval Academy is located in what city? (4th grade social studies) (Dr. Cox taught social studies for 15 years). $25,000
6- Costa Rica borders two countries. Nicaragua is one of the countries. What is the other? (4th grade world geography) $50,000
7- Which of the following foods contains no natural protein 1- whole milk 2- pure sugar 3- raw eggs (3rd grade health) $100,000
8- Which of the following is NOT an official language of Switzerland 1- German 2- Italian 3- Spanish (3rd grade cultural studies) $175,000
9-What is the name of the following painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch? (5th grade art) $300,000
10- Which commanding British general surrendered to American troops in Yorktown in 1781? (5th grade U.S. History) Cox did a peek to Olivia’s answer but ignored it. $500,000
MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION (she gets no help from her fifth graders and gets no cheats, plus once she sees the question, she must answer. If she got it wrong, she would have dropped to $25,000). The topic: world history. The question: Who was the longest reigning British monarch?
If you want to test yourself, do no look DOWN HERE. I’ll even leave a few blank spaces to help you avert your eyes:
ANSWERS:
1- April 2- False 3- two 4- dr 5- Annapolis, Md. 6- Panama 7- pure sugar 8- Spanish 9- The Scream 10- Lord Charles Cornwallis $1 million answer- Queen Victoria (for 63 years)
Comments
By sedimenjerry
September 5, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Woowhee that was a close one.
Well at least Georgia wan’t completely embarressed.
By fairelection2008
September 5, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Congrats Kathy!! Now let’s move our students up in the national rankings!! You make Georgia proud!!
By John
September 5, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
Great representation for Georgia. We are proud of you.
By a*******play
September 5, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this
way to go…..really was nice that she is donating her winnings to the schools.
That shows class. Congrats!
By Judy
September 5, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy. You made us proud.
By TJM
September 5, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Way to go!
By xanthippe
September 5, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
Well played, Kathy Cox!
By schools
September 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Congrats Kathy! Although it’s nice that she chose those schools to giive the money to, too bad she didn’t put some of that towards SAT programs.
By Gator Actual
September 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Guess she didn’t go to a Clayton County school!
By Jan
September 5, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Congratulations!
It was exciting watching the show tonight.
By Willene
September 5, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Congratulations!!! We are so proud of you..You showed them that you ARE smarter than the average 5th grader. I’m so glad you pointed out that it is so important for kids to STAY in school. Maybe this will help keep more kids in school proving you CAN do anything you try!! WAY TO GO Kathy!!
By Ga Teacher
September 5, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
You made GA proud!!!
By TLC
September 5, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Good job. Now if we can get our georgia high school students to be smarter than a fifth grader we’d be cooking with fire.
By Eva Parks
September 5, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Wait to go Kathy…..the State Schools love you for this!!! You are the best!!!
By Denise Browning
September 5, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
OMG…Cathy turned into a fat little piggy didn’t she?????!!!!!
On a lighter note….I am very happy for Cathy Cox and GA schools. As someone who works in GA schools, I am excited that she was the 1st to win a million dollars. Congrats!
Denise Browning -SLP Cherokee County Schools
By Great Job!
September 5, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Wow, way to go!!! Kathy, please go and head up the Clayton County school board … pleeeeeease . .
By Oops!
September 5, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
Wow…That state house guy (Rob Something) must feel like a fool now! What a jerk! Way to go Kathy…Great press for GA!
By Nicole
September 5, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
I am proud to work for such an intelligent women!!!!
By Daxter
September 5, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
CONGRATULATIONS KATHY! You have what it takes — now help get Georgia’s school scores on top!
By Denise Browning
September 5, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
OMG…Cathy turned into a fat little piggy didn’t she?????!!!!!
On a lighter note….I am very happy for Cathy Cox and GA schools. As someone who works in GA schools, I am excited that she was the 1st to win a million dollars. Congrats!
Denise
By Nicole
September 5, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
I am proud to work for such an intelligent women!!!!
By Jo
September 5, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
Yeah! for her and a slap in the face to all her hater’s. She brought 1 million dollars home.
By Tolanda Rogers
September 5, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
This is amazing!! Ms. Cox truly represented Georgia well. I feel confident that she will certainly help us take Georgia schools to higher levels of achievement. I can’t believe that someone right here from our Georgia schools was the first to win the million. This proves that she will be very effective in helping us work together to improve our schools. What a way to set the “standard!” It brought tears to my eyes. Way to go, Kathy Cox!
By Gogirl
September 5, 2008 10:18 PM | Link to this
What a powerful promotion for Georgia and getting an education! Jeff Foxworthy got it right when he said she made the whole state of Georgia proud!!
By Carlton Johnson, MFP, ABA
September 5, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Bravo! Well Done! This is certainly good news to the State of Georgia and makes me proud to be a native!
By Ron White
September 5, 2008 10:20 PM | Link to this
I didn’t see the show, but thanks for sharing the questions and answers. I got them all (no cheats), and I’m not surprised that our state school superintendant did,too. What is hard to believe is that some of these are things that a fifth grader would know: magnet school fifth graders, maybe.
By Loni
September 5, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
That’s outstanding! I hope she’ll be able to help out the schools that need it the most.
By JB
September 5, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
I think this is TOTALLY awesome!!! I am so proud of her. Any one who opposed her doing that to win charity money for her schools needs to get a life!!! The show was filmed back in the summer and had NOTHING to do with her job as superintendent.
By csquared
September 5, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
good thing it wasn’t the SAT.
By Jay
September 5, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to Superintendent Cox! She didn’t make Georgia look like a total of uneducated inbreds. But the “sour grapes” award has to go to Representative Rob Teilhet. He ran a political spot in the first 20 minutes during Kathy Ireland’s appearance criticizing Ms. Cox for “going to Hollywood instead of tending to Georgia students’ needs. It’s not like she doesn’t have time to herself. After all…Rep. Teilhet isn’t at the capitol EVERY day with his stately duties is he? Who would have made a better impression…Ms. Cox or the Clayton School Board? With all the negatives that have been thrown Georgia’s way about education, he should have just shut up and enjoyed the show! She made us proud!
By WAW
September 5, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
The money’s good (for the Schools for the Blind and Deaf) but more important is the way Kathy Cox shared the moment with the children. The legislature should listen to this lady, she’s good! I say that and I’m a democrat.
By Michael
September 5, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Kathy! Great job.
By jp from americus
September 5, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
wow/you played that well, but I especially liked it when you put the message to not drop out and try try your best above $/thanks for making us proud
By Ga. Dem.
September 5, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Oh boy!! More Republican propaganda. Please, now tell me this wasn’t rigged. A nice try to try to distract us from the fact that Georgia’s schools are among the worst in the nation!
By Elaine
September 5, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
WOW!!! Kathy Cox, you made us proud in Georgia and had a good time doing it. You are a wonderful role model for all our students and proved why you are the right person to be our State School Superintendent. I think I was almost as excited just watching you on TV as you were actually winning the Million Dollars. Congratulations.
By Southern Belle
September 5, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Congratulations! And the fact that you’re donating to schools is awesome.
By Ga. Dem.
September 5, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Oh boy!! More Republican propaganda. Please, now tell me this wasn’t rigged. A nice try to distract us from the fact that Georgia’s schools are among the worst in the nation!
By Ga. Dem.
September 5, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Oh boy!! More Republican propaganda. Please, now tell me this wasn’t rigged. A nice try to distract us from the fact that Georgia’s schools are among the worst in the nation!
By JB
September 5, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
This is TOTALLY AWESOME!
Any one who opposed her doing this needs to GET A LIFE.
By Daxter
September 5, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Denise Browning — what’s your problem? Kathy deserves the kudos. Your petty comments show the childishness of many in the school system. Go find another job.
By Beth
September 5, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
Rock on, Kathy! Love her or hate her, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due!!
By Millie Price
September 5, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
She made me proud to also be a Georgia educator. Great show and accomplishment!!!
By Millie Price
September 5, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
She made me proud to also be a Georgia educator. Great show and accomplishment!!!
By proud georgian
September 5, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
this text will be be bolded Kathy Cox is setting a standard for all state employees - represent the state with integrity, intelligence and less greed.
Congrats Kathy - well done !!
By Jay
September 5, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry…but how much money did that ad spot cost Rep. Teilhet? I’m sure it wasn’t cheap, so where did the money come from and couldn’t IT have gone to the schools instead? Don’t throw rocks “Robbie”!!
By Amy
September 5, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Awesome Job for Kathy Cox!!! I am proud to have been one of her students…. She was an incredible high school teacher!! She makes Georgia look good being the 1st to win the MILLION!! What a noble cause for the money to be donated!
By Dani
September 5, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Missed the show, but incredibly proud of you after hearing/seeing your critics’ comments all day. Guess you showed them!!! Thanks for everything you’ve done for our kids, including this wonderful highlight! Don’t let those sourpusses get you down =) Your heart is in the right place!
By reader01
September 5, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
Thanks, AJC. I had this on Tivo and was going to watch it but yay, I got the breaking news alert. Way to botch the ending for me… no need to watch it now.
By Amy
September 5, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Thank you Kathy, for donating your winnings to three state schools!
Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Georgia Academy for the Blind and Georgia School for the Deaf thanks you!
That money will go for a good use for our deaf and blind students to achieve much, much more.
Thank you! I am so proud to be an employee of AASD!
By Pam
September 5, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
The money for the Rep.’s ad “supposedly” came from his “friends and neighbors” (wink wink). Isn’t that where ALL political contributions come from???
By Mike S.
September 5, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Kinda makes up for that embarassing time you yanked “evolution” from the science classes in georgia, only to flip flip later on like the fish, who did that onto land from water, and started that trek toward the humanity we are today.
By pepper b
September 5, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Hey GA DEM, you just don’t get it do you !!?? Your lack of intelligent comprehension of what was accomplished this evening reminds one of the H**’s A nominated in Denver last week. GET OVER IT !!
By Jay
September 5, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Reader01…don’t be too mad at the AJC. FOX ran a spoiler alert near the end of the show all but telling the viewers that she won. I couldn’t believe it when they did that! Watch it anyway…plus it’s good to see something favorable about Georgia besides the Clayton Circus and the Bigfoot hoax. Heck…that was Clayton too!
By I_Teach
September 5, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Nice to know Cox got SOMETHING right…’cause she sure is blowing everything else related to education in this state!
By yayayaya
September 5, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Who is this ‘Robbie” person and why does he have such a sucky attitude towards this?
Jeez
By Brad In Columbus
September 5, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight… The Superintendent of ALL schools in this state has (at least in game show reality) has proven herself to be smarter than a 5th grader.
And you people are freaking out like this is a GOOD thing, like it has merit outside of the money donated.
Allow me to remind any of you heaping praise on this woman that the only reason there were no real complications for this was because she was asked no questions regarding EVOLUTION, because had that happened, it would have been epic failure.
That you’re all content with this mediocrity is sickening and shows you really don’t care thing 1 about the quality of education your children receive.
That alone should explain why this state is a laughingstock among those with better public education rankings with leaders who actually DO their freaking jobs to ensure the highest standards possible.
What an embarrassment to democracy you mouth breathing cretins are!
By Art Teacher
September 5, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
Yeah, sure this was legit. Rigged job all the way. Thanks Kathy for your ignorance in dissing all the artists and art teachers of the world. You were barely close enough for government work.
By FayeJ
September 5, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
WOW…YOU’RE ON A GAME SHOW, BUT DIDN’T HELP THE POOR CHILDREN IN CLAYTON COUNTY. CONGRATS, I THINK NOT!
By Brad In Columbus
September 5, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight… The Superintendent of ALL schools in this state has (at least in game show reality) has proven herself to be smarter than a 5th grader.
And you people are freaking out like this is a GOOD thing, like it has merit outside of the money donated.
Allow me to remind any of you heaping praise on this woman that the only reason there were no real complications for this was because she was asked no questions regarding EVOLUTION, because had that happened, it would have been epic failure.
That you’re all content with this mediocrity is sickening and shows you really don’t care thing 1 about the quality of education your children receive.
That alone should explain why this state is a laughingstock among those with better public education rankings with leaders who actually DO their freaking jobs to ensure the highest standards possible.
What an embarrassment to democracy you mouth breathing cretins are!
By Kathy
September 5, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
I am glad to see that Kathy Cox has won the $1 million. She has proven that she can answer 1st through 5th grade questions. When will she start proving that she can manage the state school system? Under her leadership, the recent CRCT tests scores were botched so badly that the scores had to be thrown out! Wonder if she could pass the 8th grade CRCT. It’d be worth a $1million to see what she could score!
By Dana
September 5, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Yippee!!!!
By Dana
September 5, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Yippee!!!!
By GS
September 5, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this
Who is this guy Robby Teilhet ? Sounds like he should rise quickly within the ranks in democritic party. Will he match Ms. Cox donations to the schools ??
By GS
September 5, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
Who is this guy Robby Teilhet ? Sounds like he should rise quickly within the ranks of the democritic party. Will he match Ms. Cox donations to the schools ??
By Matt the Brave
September 5, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
So, how much of that million is going to be going to my wife’s paycheck?! It makes me so mad that the AJC says that she used her own money. Who pays her paycheck? TAXES DO! That means that we paid for her to go out to HellLay. At least she didn’t totally embarrass us, but hey, you know, when the state’s scores are in the tank, we’re seeing a large dropout rate, and the colleges are showing some of their lowest graduation and retention rates, you should play on a gameshow. Work hard kids, and maybe you’ll be able to go and WIN a million instead of EARNING IT!
By lolatthesepeeps
September 5, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this
lol look at all the disgruntled peeps crawling out of their uneducated woodwork to spew jealousy from their mouths.
Go TeamKathy!!!!!
By holdingAJCaccountable
September 5, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Well the fact that she does indeed have some basic knowledge of things shows that her attempt to remove evolution from the curriculum was not guided by sheer ignorance; it was guided by political pandering and moral bankruptcy.
Of course her history of bragging about the “90 percent passing rate” of students on the CRCT reading exam without mentioning (until the AJC filed an open records request, one of the very few things they’ve gotten right in regard to education) the 41 percent cut scores shows political pandering and moral bankruptcy are par for the course.
Having said that, a million dollars, even after taxes, is a big sum, even for a state level educrat. If she wants to make political hay out of the fact she donated it, I won’t begrudge her one bit; it is a laudable action. Were that the policies she supported as laudable.
By TW
September 5, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
This woman is simply an embarrassment to all real educators.
By wow
September 5, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
SB 390: Classroom First for Georgia Act HCS SB 390: Classroom First Act for Georgia
Vote to pass a bill that requires school systems to spend at least 65 percent of the total operating expenditure on classroom expenditures such as teachers, aides, classroom supplies, field trips, and athletics beginning in the 2008 fiscal year, but not including teacher training, food service, plant maintenance, transportation, administration, or support staff.
“Teilhet voted NO” on this bill yet disses Cox for her using her PERSONAL winnings to go towards HELPING Ga schools?
By DivaGlam
September 5, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
Those were the easiest questions EVER. Give me a break. Try something that we as teachers really teach in the classroom…
By Louise
September 5, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy Cox! I hope those schools send her a Big Thank you for the money she won! She made our state proud! No one else has gotten the million dollar prize!
By Louise
September 5, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy Cox! I hope those schools send her a Big Thank you for the money she won! She made our state proud! No one else has gotten the million dollar prize!
By Louise
September 5, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy Cox! I hope those schools send her a Big Thank you for the money she won! She made our state proud! No one else has gotten the million dollar prize!
By Louise
September 5, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy Cox! I hope those schools send her a Big Thank you for the money she won! She made our state proud! No one else has gotten the million dollar prize!
By Louise
September 5, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy Cox! I hope those schools send her a Big Thank you for the money she won! She made our state proud! No one else has gotten the million dollar prize!
By Reader01
September 5, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
It’s just that I would have liked to have time to watch the video tonight without knowing the ending… hints are fine, either you get them or you dont…. oh well, Jay, you make a valid point. I’ll check it out. And I knew beforehand that the money would be donated to worthy causes, so congrats to her for her winnings!
By holdingAJCaccountable
September 5, 2008 11:50 PM | Link to this
A poster (I’m too embarrassed for her to repeat her name) actually came on here and said that the fact that she’s smarter than a 5th grader “proves that she will be very effective in helping us work together to improve our schools.”?
You might want to revisit that Scientific Method thing, as if anything, her track record “proves” she’s been completely and totally ineffective.
By Bob
September 5, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Easy questions? Embarrassment to real educators? Gimme a break. You people need to lighten up. We even have have some clown talking about evolution. If it so bad here, Brad, nobody is keeping you here. Columbus will not miss you.
She just won a million dollars. She did our state proud. Some people always have to gripe about something.
By csquared
September 5, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Louise- please read and COMPREHEND—There will be a delay of up to 5 minutes before your comment appears. pressing the button multiple times is about as crazy as the STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT NOT being SMARTER than a 5th grader!
By ya
September 5, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
Put it in the bank, reap the interest, and donate to the three schools.
You’ve earned it !!
Way to go !!
By holdingAJCaccountable
September 6, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Bob,
I take it that by referring to a clown talking about evolution, you’re referring to Cox herself, seeing as she caved in to political pandering, and in the face of all scientific evidence to the contrary, tried to remove the word from the science curriculum?
Not nice to talk about Cox that way on the night that will prove to be the apex of her educational tenure in Georgia.
By Whatever
September 6, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
Can anyone say Publicity Stunt???
By Diane
September 6, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Those with negative comments about Ms. Cox’s appearance on the show should feel really ridiculous…not just because she won the million, but because their comments were simply uncalled for and silly. The message she gave children and young people was and is “priceless”. She didn’t do this to win money for herself, but to further the education of children and to set an example. Congratulations to her, and than you for your example and the message you sent.
By Countrygirl113
September 6, 2008 12:13 AM | Link to this
Denise Browning- OMG how disrespectful can you get to make a personal comment about the woman. TWICE. Cherokee County Schools must be real proud to have you on board.
By Jackie Buchwald
September 6, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
Are you hicks really proud that your superintendent of schools can answer fifth grade questions?
But hey … we’re better than Mississippi!
Stupid hicks.
By holdingAJCaccountable
September 6, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Diane,
What message did Cox give Georgia students, and their parents, when she told them that 90 percent of them were “on grade level” in reading when the reality is that they only had to get 41 percent of the questions right to pass the CRCT?
That doesn’t sound like an “priceless” message to me. It sounds like a bill of goods based on political expediency.
By FormerGATeacher
September 6, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
I am glad that the winnings are being placed into the schools. That being said…
I can say with a great deal of certainty that tonight’s show was absolutely a huge publicity stunt. I would be curious to know how may people out there knew all of the answers to tonight’s questions . My guess would be many more than usual. My daughter, a 3rd grader, can answer most of them! A big pat on the back to the AL schools she has attended for teaching her these things.
Cox is an intelligent woman; I don’t want to take that from her. But intelligence does not make a person a good leader. I believe that the current state of the educational system of GA is more indicative of the quality of leadership than Cox’s ability to answer questions that are based on things that elementary age children should know.
Just something to think about…
By holdingAJCaccountable
September 6, 2008 12:31 AM | Link to this
Correction, a “priceless” message. Originally thought you said “uplifting” was the adjective you used, so when I went back to change it I didn’t change an to a.
A precedes a consonant, and an precedes a vowel right? Guess I’m smarter than a second grader. LOL
By Georgia Grown
September 6, 2008 12:42 AM | Link to this
My my my, comments ranging from congrats to negative and mean. Plus Reader01 thinks they need to hold the press until he/she can watch the Tivo. Laughing. People, it was a game show, the woman did a good job and won, needed dollars will go to 3 valuable and deserving schools in GA. Just lighten up and enjoy life some instead of grousing about it.
By What a Joke
September 6, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this
What a joke!!! It would have been a real shame if she had not won with those SET UP questions!!!
By sethook
September 6, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Is Kathy Cox a grad from the Clayton School System by chance?
By sethook
September 6, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this
Hey Louise, it’s quality not quantity of posts…..
By Lynn Hunnicutt
September 6, 2008 12:54 AM | Link to this
Way to go, Kathy Cox! It was amazing to watch you win the million dollars for three of our very special schools here in Georgia!! I have seen you at work in our classrooms and there was no doubt in my mind that you might be our first million dollar winner. Thanks for being a role model for students and encouraging them to stay in school and “go for it.”
By gahick
September 6, 2008 1:03 AM | Link to this
To Jackie Buchwald
No one else in the show’s history has ever been able to accomplish winning the million.
That, alone, should say something. And it should be enough to satisfy “you”.
I took the test and missed three - so no, the answers weren’t “easy” and it wasn’t some “publicity stunt”. You, apparently, are one of the ‘uneducated’ jealous people that chose to crawl out of the woodwork to spew your evil comments because someone won something on their own merit, and not yours. Or maybe you’re just upset because you know you won’t get any of the money.
You people kill me -
By KRG
September 6, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy! You did GA proud.
On another note..
Denise Browing, you should be ASHAMED. What kind of example are you setting for the children? And even if you don’t know to keep your mouth shut for the sake of decency than do it to keep your job. How stupid must you be to post your full name and title when leaving that sort of garbage?
Louise…Geez, how many times did you hit “submit”? Are you a teacher?
Robbie, I’ll bet you feel like a fool now, huh? If you don’t…you should!
By Regan
September 6, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
Well, C. C** you R smartyer tan a KnOlins N**** aanna CLEYton N**** buttba cna youba figgermer outba why THEASBA seamans to be so manyby NON-GOMENT SCHOOLS in da ATL”HOOD” area?
By Kevin
September 6, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
Great work kathy cox on win and that state rep who blasted u should go hide now are resigned….kudos n no this was not Rig accordin to the donkey party cause she had the answers givin sounds like denise brownin is bein a jerk again maybe she used be taught at clayton county…Cox u did great and u be elected again
By Kevin
September 6, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
well i see one of the fired clayton county spoke name Regan…what a charmin words u used…and like said kathy cox runs all the schools Um denise brownin may be lookin for a real job very soon……as she be fired
By Peggy
September 6, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
Where was your family tonight. Were they embarrassed because our school system is in such distress. Thay Clayton county has now lost its accredidation. Are you keeping any of this money for yourself or giving all to the GA schools? How could you go on TV representing GA looking like you did.
By Annalou
September 6, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy! I watched the show and thought you were awesome! Thanks for going all the way and not dropping out. That would have been the easy way out. I am so proud of you! It brought tears to my eyes! Even if you hadn’t won it would have still been awesome for you, the state, and your charities!! You represented GA well!! As a Dekalb County student’s mother and resident, we are proud. Way to go!
By TheWaTchR
September 6, 2008 5:03 AM | Link to this
To be honest I am proud of Kathy Cox and the fact that she took the winnings and donated them to 3 schools that receive only state funding. These schools are not like your local schools that receive local taxes for their budgets. This will be a wind fall for them.
By Michael
September 6, 2008 5:16 AM | Link to this
Where were the math questons?
Congratulations any way whether is was publicity stunt or not she won the money and gave it to the schools.
By Gary McLachlan
September 6, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this
Congratulations, Ms. Cox.
By the way, “Sedimjerry” (of posting #1) It’s spelled “embarrassed”, not embarressed! You must have attended the Clayton Co. Schools, too.
By Barbara Sanders
September 6, 2008 6:15 AM | Link to this
I have only 2 problems with Kathy Cox!!!!! Why did she pick the Caucasian kids first, then the I believe he was Mexican/Puerto Rican, then the African American kids last?
By MARCEL MARCEAU
September 6, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
, . " " , ? , , . !!!!By Alan Hull
September 6, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this
Kathy Cox would’ve lost if she’d been asked why GA’s graduation rates and SAT scores are so low. If she told the truth, she’d be fired by Bubba Perdue and his knuckle-walking minions on the GA legislature.
By cobb kid
September 6, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this
I wish they would asked her about evolution!
By Nana
September 6, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this
Way to go Kathy! You clearly did not attend school in Clayton County!
By Sherry
September 6, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
I have a bridge to sell those of you who that apparently can’t see that the fix was in for her to win.
Let’s see…1) Foxworthy is from Georgia, 2)Kathy Cox’s image is in the toilet and in need of repair; so she is donating her winnings. 3) Foxworthy went to one of the GA schools this year to promote his book and this is his home state. 4)The show capitalized on the ratings by having an actual $1M winner 5) Surprise! The money went to schools in Foxworthy’s home state of GA. Who better to get it? 5) Most questions related to History/Social Studies/Geography which are interrelated, if taught properly in school. 6) Surprise again! Kathy taught Social Studies for 15 years and the $1M question was on History. 8) She is a poor actor. Never believed that she was stumped on any questions 9)Foxworthy mentioned she had tears in her eyes and that he had tears in his eyes which I never saw (anyone with HDTV want to chime in?) 10)Btw, a real math question was never asked. Sure would have liked to see her ask for pencil and paper to work up one of the crazy strategies she’s having the schools teach our kids.
I too noticed the fact that she picked the African American girl last. Bottom line, her appearance did nothing to help those kids that failed the CRCTs. She’s in need of some serious walking papers when her term is up.
By electricbluebird
September 6, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
We watched last night and are thrilled to death for Kathy. What a wonderful thing she is doing by donating the money.
By enough
September 6, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
Why does everything have to be turned into a racial showdown? Purple, yellow or orange.,…someone has to go first, second or last. I got over this in grade school during recess!
By SuperPaul Bonebreaker
September 6, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
Like her policies, or hate ‘em, at least we know she’s smart! I loved the enthusiasm - bring that home to Georgia - inject it into our schools, and we’ll move up the ranks, just like she did!
By Debbie
September 6, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this
I find it very discouraging and disappointing that people feel it necessary to find fault with the physical attributes of a person when the point of the show, whether a publicity stunt or not. I no longer have students in the ELHI process of the State of Georgia but during the process of raising four sons through a 32 year span I found that the most important people to those children and the greatest impact toward their education was not from a teacher or the school they were taught in, it was from their parents (MOM & DAD). We took it seriously, we stayed the course and as a result so did the kids. Rather than point your fingers toward someone else. Try putting a few responsibilities back in your own lap. We encountered some wonderful teachers during this time, and some not so wonderful…get over it. As we have seen in this display of comments. We’ve encountered some wonderful people…some not so wonderful…a TRUE reflection of our state which by the way makes up our caliber of students and the reflection that shows in the statistics.
By Sherry
September 6, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
oops….numbering off a bit. Difficult to edit in this little box.
By Debbie
September 6, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I find it very discouraging and disappointing that people feel it necessary to find fault with the physical attributes of a person when the point of the show, whether a publicity stunt or not ~ they are trying to add to the ratings (recently they had Clay Akins, etc.) and if they can add funds to a school system somewhere, who does that hurt? I no longer have students in the ELHI process of the State of Georgia but during the process of raising four sons through a 32 year span I found that the most important people to those children and the greatest impact toward their education was not from a teacher or the school they were taught in, it was from their parents (MOM & DAD). We took it seriously, we stayed the course and as a result so did the kids. Rather than point your fingers toward someone else try putting a few responsibilities back in your own lap. We encountered some wonderful teachers during this time, and some not so wonderful…get over it. As we have seen in this display of comments ~ we’ve encountered some wonderful people…some not so wonderful…a TRUE reflection of our state which by the way makes up our caliber of students and the reflection that shows in our eductational statistics.
By Debbie
September 6, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
I find it very discouraging and disappointing that people feel it necessary to find fault with the physical attributes of a person when the point of the show, whether a publicity stunt or not ~ they are trying to add to the ratings (recently they had Clay Akins, etc.) and if they can add funds to a school system somewhere, who does that hurt? I no longer have students in the ELHI process of the State of Georgia but during the process of raising four sons through a 32 year span I found that the most important people to those children and the greatest impact toward their education was not from a teacher or the school they were taught in, it was from their parents (MOM & DAD). We took it seriously, we stayed the course and as a result so did the kids. Rather than point your fingers toward someone else try putting a few responsibilities back in your own lap. We encountered some wonderful teachers during this time, and some not so wonderful…get over it. As we have seen in this display of comments ~ we’ve encountered some wonderful people…some not so wonderful…a TRUE reflection of our state which by the way makes up our caliber of students and the reflection that shows in our educational statistics.
By Lady
September 6, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
The negativity on this is terrible. No wonder this country is in the mess it is. Let’s just keep slamming people. To donate the money is absolutely fantastic. Wonder how many of you would donate all of this money and she will be the one paying taxes on the million dollars. When states and the federal government keep cutting funding to education, what to you expect to happen. Instead of cutting funding they should be increasing funding every year. Parents need to take responsibility also to make sure their children study and do their homework. It is not up all to the teachers. It is hard to believe that some of this stuff is taught to 1st thru 5th graders, no wonder they are failing. What happened to the basic reading, writing and math that was taught in elementary school? That is the problem, most children can’t read or write and definitely can’t do simply math.
By DJL
September 6, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
Dear Sherry, WHO CARES
She saved the A.Amer. girl for the hardest questions.
The questions were typical of previous shows.
Social Studies and History are the usual $Million dollar questions. Except for the music major that did not go for the question and the answer was violin (or something similar).
YOU are jealous !
DJL, Clayton County.
By an
September 6, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
I don’t get you people who are so negative and nasty. What is that all about? Remember, she is the 1ST person to win the 1 million. Not only is she “Smarter Than a 5th Grader”, she is also smarter than all of the other contestants who have participated in the game. Shame on you! Be happy for crying out loud!
By Adam
September 6, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
It’s not the schools or the teachers (minus Clayton - that’s just poor leadership with integrity issues). Teachers already have the tools (college degree(s) maybe???) to help students succeed. While there might be a handfull of bad apples, it is truly up to the students, which might require some parental guidance. You can’t just go through life blaming teachers for student failure. It’s a personal choice to work hard and succeed. Teachers can’t make students get straight A’s or ace the SAT.
Hell, I made it through GA public schools just fine. I went to a competetive out of state college and discovered that I was much better in academics than most of the students from the rest of the union. Simply put, it’s possible to succeed. Stop blaming people unless it’s yourself. Personal responsibility folks.
Congrats Kathy! I am proud to be a graduate from GA public schools. I was well prepared because I chose to be.
By Tam
September 6, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this
There always have to be a few Debbie-Downers and Wanda Whiners in the bunch. Probably a little envy there that they weren’t on the show answering all the “easy” questions as the few of you spout to have known. Pay no attention, Kathy - That was excellent work and you made Georgia proud!
By Janet Reisenwitz
September 6, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Congratulations Ms. Cox. We really enjoyed watching you win. Georgia schools are lucky to have you on board. Shame on Denise Browning. Ms. Cox, you looked great and we are proud of you.
By RJ
September 6, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Forgot to watch the program but have seen in the past and is definitely not as easy as one would think. These children have studied these subjects in the last year or so . They are also probably tops in their classes. I was sincerely afraid she would have to stop at 50K as most do that even get that high. Very good publicity for Ga for a change and congratulations to Ms. Cox. Also if she sends $ directly to schools do not think she will have to pay taxes but was a very noble gesture and I am sure she would not have been on the program if she had not been giving it to her favorite charity.
By a teacher
September 6, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Kathy Cox—-You go girl! I am so proud of you! You are a wonderful role model. You took and chance and you bounced a winner!
By a teacher
September 6, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
Kathy Cox—-You go girl! I am so proud of you! You are a wonderful role model. You took and chance and you bounced a winner!
By a teacher
September 6, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Kathy Cox—-You go girl! I am so proud of you! You are a wonderful role model. You took and chance and you bounced a winner!
By Sam I Am
September 6, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Wow. Some of you folks really amaze me.
Her name is Kathy, not Cathy. If you wou’d read the title to the story, you would know this.
To Matt the Brave, are you kidding? Sure, tax payers pay her salary. Your argument, though basically says that employees of the government, even contractors who are paid by the government, shouldn’t be allowed to spend the money they receive from their paychecks the way they please. Wow.
To TW, an embarrasment? Really? Could you have gotten all of those questions right with the pressure of TV cameras, lighting, and all the rest on you? Even if you could, I could certainly think of other people who would have represented the state of Georgia much worse. For folks in the other 49 states, the image is positive — the Ga. State Super was the first to win $1 million. Good for her.
To DivaGlam, Kathy Ireland’s questions were much easier than Kathy Cox’s. Besides, if you watched the show, she “struggled” (you know how reality quiz shows are) with the abbreviation for “doctor”. Was it “Dr.” or “M.D.”??? Anyway, “easiness” is a relative term anyway. I had no clue about the name of the painting, yet my wife immediately knew it. And it it was so easy, why would it take 3 seasons for hte first $1 winner. Does any 3rd grader really know the answer to the question related to the official languages of Switzerland? No.
To Diane and Georgia Grown, well said!
To Peggy, why degrade into such a mindless attack? To demean her physical appearance is just low and uncalled for.
For those playing the race card like Barbara Saunders, strategy wise, I think it’s a compliment to pick the African-American kid last. In a game such as that, isn’t it a wiser move to keep the smarter kids to help with the harder questions? That’s what I would do. Save the best for last. You certainly would like to have the smartest kid to cheat off of for the $500,000 question, not the $1,000 question, wouldn’t you? Honestly, do you think she was thinking about race as she was selecting kids to help her?
To Sherry, if it was rigged, it would have been the producers that did it. What relationship does Cox have with Mark Burnett? Foxworthy is just the host.
Lighten up, folks. I’m not saying that it was rigged, but even if it was, three special schools are getting a dollar or two for her efforts. The show is supposed to be for entertainment. Would you just look at it that way, instead of trying to turn everything into a political argument or a race argument.
It was a good show last night. Amazingly enough, I thought the Cox portion of the show was much more entertaining than the first half of the show. Kathy Ireland had a great smile, but Kathy Cox certainly had much more energy.
By W.Walton Fisch
September 6, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Way to go for you Kathy You did what all the other,s people could,nt do on this show Guess what you did it and you have won!
By Eleanor
September 6, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
She might be smarter than a 5th grader but she still should step down for what she did to the students and teachers over the CRCT testing. By not warning the teachers, she did a great disservice to them and the students. I have no respect for her at all.
By Gapeach
September 6, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
I wish I could bring myself to be proud of Kathy Cox … but, I just can’t. When I think about the State’s standing with regard to education… it is pitiful. I know that any one person is to blame, but certainly a person in her position should have some impact on our education system and I just don’t see it! Sorry!
By Bill
September 6, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
I am very pleased to know that the Superintendent of Schools for our state is smarter than a 5th grader. Let’s see what happens when she’s matched with a 6th grader.
By ASA
September 6, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Debbie Browning—you should be ashamed. The show was Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader NOT Biggest Loser. Now that everyone knows who you are I hope you get judged harshly on your physical appearance and not to mention your professional capabilities. Good luck on Monday. Congratulations Kathy
By sleestak
September 6, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
please clean up the mess in clayton county then Mrs Cox.
By Annie
September 6, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
You go girl! But what’s with Fox5 news? At 9:55, before her last question, you show her all happy and excited, and promised the story at 10. Kind of gave it away, didn’t you???
By be nice
September 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Thanks to all you who are seeing the positive in this. We can congratulate someone for a job well done even if we disagree with some of their previous decisions or are of different political party. Mrs. Cox just brought back 1 million dollars to 3 schools that probably really need this money. I for one count my blessing that I’ve never needed the services of these schools for any member of my family. Our state is in a budget crisis and the fact that she contributed to the positive can only be good for the students of these schools. I consider myself smarter than a 5th grader when it comes to critical thinking and my behavior towards others but it doesn’t necessarily mean that I can recall some of the obscure information used on this show. It seems that many of you who are so critical may be intellectually smarter than a 5th grader but you have not learned to play well with others(which is a lesson typically learned before the 5th grade).
By Smarter than a 6th Grader
September 6, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
How smart are all of you who didn’t even realize that you were the victim of a political ploy. Don’t you think the Lt. Gov. spot was a campaign tactic? He just happens to be your Rep. candidate for Gov. Maybe they are working on a Cagle/Cox ticket jst like McCain/Palin???????????
By C
September 6, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Rigged.
By C
September 6, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
Rigged.
By The Truth
September 6, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
It is absolutely appalling that she would take the time to go on a show like this when the educational system in this state is the way it is. What happened in Clayton County is a reflection on the whole state of Georgia—and the buck stops with her and the State Department of Education.
To Lady, why would she have to pay taxes on money if she donates it 100%?? To Sam I Am, funny you should bring up the correct spelling of her name. I was hoping someone would remind us how she got elected to office in the first place—name association and confusion with “Cathy Cox” the State Secretary of State—she should have never been elected State Superintendent and the issues surrounding Clayton County, SAT and CRCT scores prove it!!!!
By by a teacher
September 6, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
This is not the kind of publicity the State of Georgia needs. The lady does not have a clue. She should be on reality tv instead of running our public education system. I hope she had to take personal days and that the state did not pay her travel expenses. Sharon
By marie
September 6, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
This is specifically for Brad of Columbus. I am proud of Ms. Cox, not only for winning the million dollars, but for her altruism in donating the money to those schools which have the greatest need. I don’t know how old you are — but I can tell you this, after twenty years or so, ANYONE is very smart to remember fifty grade work. But — re the evolution issue. The last educator with whom I had personal contact and who denounced the Christian version of mankind and became a proponent of evolution eventually blew his brains out. You may remember — he was from your neck of the woods and this happened about 28 years ago. We don’t bash people for their personal beliefs; we applaud them for taking a stance for what they believe is right.
By rwrnole2
September 6, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I am pleased that Ms. Cox did so well, dissappointed that there were naysayers prior to her efforts but optimistic that maybe we no longer have to do things the way we have always done them! It’s sad that people(and the AJC editorial board)grip so tightly to the false promises and rhetoric of their wannabe political leaders!
By rwrnole2
September 6, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
I am pleased that Ms. Cox did so well, dissappointed that there were naysayers prior to her efforts but optimistic that maybe we no longer have to do things the way we have always done them! It’s sad that people(and the AJC editorial board)grip so tightly to the false promises and rhetoric of their wannabe political leaders!
By marie
September 6, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Something I failed to mention in my last post. I grew up in South Carolina; the schools there, I thought, were average, not that hard. But I learned a lot. When I began college classes in Georgia, I found that my first three years of classes covered material that South Carolina schools covered in 9th through 12th grades. That was in 1954. Does that tell you anything? The Georgia school system has been poor for many, many years. No one between the years 1954 and 2008 has made that great a difference. Aren’t some of you being somewhat unrealistic to expect one woman to change decades of mistakes in such a short time? Do you think perhaps she could do more if she had your support? Maybe if the parents took responsibility for what their children do (in and out of school), the system would improve. Perhaps if we spent some of the time we spend griping and criticizing Ms. Cox, volunteering and helping in our local schools, changes would take place. Perhaps when Johnny or Susie come home from school and report they got a paddling for being disrespect to their teacher, if parents would then administer discipline for the infraction themselves, the situation would improve. Instead, many parents take issue with the schools, support Johnny and Susie’s misbehavior and make the problem worse. When I was a kid, I and my peers, KNEW that if we were in trouble in school, we were in MORE trouble at home. Think about it. Until we do our part to improve things, no one else can accomplish the miracles we seem to expect.
By say what?
September 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Congrats to the three most needist schools in GA!!! poeple may not realize that resource dollars don’t go as far when you have to purchase special resources and technology. Good for her, but I could answer the question without the hype, and I could see in her eyes that could ahve as well. Good acting for those wh