State School Superintendent Cathy Cox announced today she is leaving Georgia --- and her re-election campaign -- to lead an education think tank in Washington, D.C.

As of July 1, she will be the CEO of the new U.S. Education Delivery Institute, the spinoff of a British government advisory body.

Cox knew she was a candidate for the CEO job prior to her re-election qualifying date, she says, but did not receive the offer until afterwards.  If she'd gotten the offer earlier, she would have left the race before qualifying.

Cox explained what the U.S. EDI does in a statement:  "The performance management methods collectively known as 'Delivery' provide the critical implementation link between system reform and classroom improvement, and thus greater student outcomes."

In other words, the Delivery method lays out the steps like goal-setting, data collection and post-analysis, that, according to its practitioners, will help schools deliver better education and higher graduation rates.

There's no word yet on who might fill the last six months of her superintendent term.

In an interview earlier this year, Cox told The Beacon she was running for a third superintendent term because she wanted to see several of her initiatives to a successful end, such as growing the graduation rate.

But the state Board of Education plans to continue her work, according to Matt Cardoza, Director of Communications for the Office of Standards, Instruction, and Assessment.

"I know that until January when the new State Superintendent takes over that the work that Superintendent Cox has started will keep going.  The State Board of Education is fully committed to these initiatives and making sure that they happen."  He added that "the path we're on is a good one and good for the kids."

Cox says her family is excited about the move and will chose a home based on the best school for their youngest son, a rising high school junior.

Her move to Washington also leaves the race for Georgia Superintendent of Schools wide open; there's no clear frontrunner as none of the other candidates have statewide name recognition.

Cox has not endorsed any other candidate, saying tongue-in-cheek, "they were all running against me."

She leaves two Republicans and three Democrats vying for their party nominations.

GOP: WHO IS THAT? IT'S BARGE OR WOODS

On the GOP side, there's John Barge, a Bartow County curriculum director and Richard Woods, an elementary curriculum director in Irwin County. 

Woods said he hopes the voters of Georgia will continue to examine him and ultimately make him the new Superintendent.  He added that after the school year is over, he will be much more active on the campaign trail. 

DEM DILEMA 

The Democrat candidates are Beth Farokhi, a retired educator; Joe Martin, formerly head of the Atlanta school  board and Brian Westlake, a Decatur teacher.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Richard Woods at Home 

Primaries will be held on July 20. 

Beth Farokhi On The Campaign Trail