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(AP) -- Facing a shortage of math and science teachers in Georgia, Gov. Sonny Perdue is set to sweeten the pot.

Perdue is scheduled to sign legislation on Wednesday that boosts salaries for the in-demand educators.  The new law would allow new secondary school teachers with proper math or science certification to start at the salary of a fifth year teacher.  The teacher's salary would then continue to rise a step every year for five years.  After that, the increase would be tied to student performance.  State officials say that in 2008, 14.3 percent of all Georgia math teachers were not fully certified.  Another 18.6 percent of physical science teachers and 16.2 percent of life sciences teachers lacked full certification.

The salary hike will take effect next school year.

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