What Has Sarah Palin Done for Education in Alaska?

September 3, 1:28 PMEducation Headlines ExaminerAndrea Hermitt

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I previously mentioned Sarah Palin’s views on education.  This is a good indicator of what her priorities would be as the Vice President of the United States , and possibly even the President.  Her educational policies, are good and sound, but the real question should be has she put them into action.  A better indication might actually be what she has accomplished in her won state in regards to education. 

A recent published article at Gather.com entitled Profile of Sarah Palin by an Alaskan does not paint a pretty picture.  The article labels Alaska’s schools as “ Alaska's failing schools” which have the “lowest rate of high school graduation in the country.”  It goes on to say that “The average maximum education level of parents of junior high school kids in Wasilla is 10th grade.”   Of course Palin inherited most of these issues.  But has she done anything to change the state of education in Alaska as Governer?

According to a Chronicle.com article, Palin promised more financial support for the state's university system.  More money has gone to Alaska State University with a seven percent increase in funds, but the article suggests it was coincidental and due to the fact that the state is making a glut of money due to increased oil and gas prices. 

According to Palin’s campaign site, (which now leads to McCain's site) she has overhauled educational funding. According to an Education Week article, “The governor has become a popular figure among the 13,000 members of the Alaska National Education Association, said Barbara Angaiak, president of the state affiliate of the National Education Association.  The union official credited Ms. Palin for having backed a legislative proposal, which became law this year, that overhauled the state’s school funding system. That plan brought more money to the state’s many rural and remote school districts and raised spending for students with special needs.”  The measure raised per pupil funding by $100.00.  She supports performance pay for teachers, a program signed into law by the previous governor.   Meanwhile, it is apparent that she has cut funding to teen moms.

Whether she gets to finish the job and raise the educational standards in Alaska is unknown.  If she should become Vice President that job will be passed on to someone else and Palin will not have been in office long enough to make a real difference. 

Meanwhile, homeschooling is seen by many in Alaska as the best way to educate a child.  Some of her younger children may even be homeschooled  through the Interior Distance Education of Alaska, according to this Huffington post article.