School chief tests wit against kids on TV

Is Kathy Cox smarter than a fifth-grader?

We’ll find out Sept. 5 when Georgia’s state schools superintendent appears on the popular game show, “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” On the show, adults answer questions based on lessons kids learn in elementary school.

“I hope she doesn’t miss some easy geography question,” joked Matt Cardoza, spokesman for the Georgia Department of Education. Cox is a former high school social studies teacher.

The show’s producers approached Cox and asked her to try out, Cardoza said. Alpharetta comedian Jeff Foxworthy hosts the show.

Some question Cox’s decision to appear on the show —- especially when schools are facing severe cuts because of a statewide budget shortfall and thousands of students failed parts of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests, which are based on the state’s curriculum.

“The budget is in meltdown, the CRCT is a mess and you have a superintendent in Hollywood taping a game show,” said Tim Callahan, spokesman for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, an advocacy group. “It gives new definition to the word frivolous.”

Cardoza said no taxpayer money was used for Cox to appear on the show, which was taped Aug. 6 in Los Angeles.

“It’s a show that promotes education and her job is to promote education in Georgia,” Cardoza said. “This is a great way to promote Georgia.”

Only if she does well. We won’t know until the show airs because Cox can’t disclose what happened.

It is to be hoped the superintendent did better than the other contestant —- supermodel Kathy Ireland.