Palin's Record as Alaska Gov Showed Support for Special Needs Kids

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Palin's Record as Alaska Gov Showed Support for Special Needs Kids

by Ertelt

LifeNews.com Editor

October 27, 2008

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Washington,

DC (LifeNews.com) -- Palin gave a major policy address last week on how she will

be an advocate for special needs children should she become the nation's next

vice-president. But, does her record as the governor of Alaska demonstrate that

support or is it merely an election ploy to gain votes?

The

answer appears to be a resounding yes -- as the Palin administration put more

money behind education and support services for disabled children and their

families.

During

her speech Palin said, " as governor, I've succeeded in securing additional

funding and assistance for students with special needs. By 2011, I will have

tripled the funding available to these students. "

That

appears to be the case.

Overall

funding for special needs students has increased every year since Palin

entered office as governor. Palin increased the amount from $219 million in

2007 to a projected $276 million in 2009.

In

March, Palin signed a bill that will nearly triple per-pupil funding over three

years for special needs students with high-cost requirements.

The

per-pupil funding grew in Alaska under Palin's administration from $26,900 in

fiscal year 2008 to $73,840 devoted to fiscal year 2011.

Palin

has also directed state funds to other special needs programs.This funding

includes $500,000 for diagnostic services for autistic children and $250,000

for training in early autism intervention in her fiscal year 2009 budget.

In

an April interview with Education Week the executive director of the

Association of Alaska School Boards called the new funding a " historic

event. "

Carl

Rose " praised the changes in funding for rural schools and students with

special needs as a 'historic event,' and said the finance overhaul would bring

more stability to district budgets, " the publication reported.

As

a result of her dedication to disabled children, who become frequent victims of

abortion, families of special needs kids have been flocking to Palin rallies

across the nation.

NBC

News reports: " But in the sea of faces, nearly everywhere she goes, she

encounters people who aren't really there for the politics. Families of

children with Down syndrome have been flocking to Palin rallies. They come to

shake her hand, grab a hug or snap a picture, drawn there, they say, because

her story is theirs, too. "

Buzz up!