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(AP) -- A shortage of educators certified to teach math and science has Georgia sweetening the pot.  The state Senate voted unanimously on Thursday to boost pay for the educators.

The bill already has passed the House, but the Senate made a minor change so it will have to return to that chamber.  Gov. Sonny Perdue is pushing the measure, so it's have no problem winning his signature.  The pay increase wouldn't take effect until 2010.  The state currently has a record-high 9.3 percent unemployment rate.

The bill would allow new teachers with proper math or science certification to move up three steps on the state salary scale.
They would continue to jump a step every year for five years.

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