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Area Districts Won’t Require Students To Watch Obama’s Speech
Major Central Texas school districts said Thursday they won’t require students to watch a speech Tuesday on the importance of education by President Barack Obama that’s aimed at children and generating nationwide controversy.
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(September 3, 2009)—Major Central Texas school districts said Thursday they won’t require students to watch a 17-minute speech President Barack Obama will deliver at 11 a.m. Tuesday CDT, challenging “students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning”
A letter from the U.S. Department of Education to school administrators says the speech, which will be distributed live on C-Span and through the White House Web site, will focus entirely on the importance of hard work in school and the shared responsibility of students, parents and educators for educational success.
The Department of Education says it is offering companion materials for classroom activities “to help engage students in the address and stimulate classroom discussions about the importance of education.”
Critics, however, charge the White House has political motives.
Callers to one North Texas radio station Thursday expressed concern the speech would contain subliminal messages or would encourage students to support the administration’s health care reform plan.
Some conservatives, driven by radio pundits and bloggers, were
urging schools and parents to boycott the address, saying Mr.Obama
is using the opportunity to promote a political agenda and is overstepping the boundaries of federal involvement in schools.
Some parents have threatened to keep children out of school Tuesday.
Waco ISD
The Waco ISD said Thursday it will not show the speech live and said that class schedules and lesson plans for the day will not change.
The speech, however, will be recorded and DVD copies will be made available Wednesday to students and staff who wish to view it.
“Teachers may, but are not required, to incorporate the speech in future lesson plans,” the district said.
“Teachers are required to give parents prior notice of the date the recorded speech is to be used. Parents may ask that their students not participate in the lesson in which the speech is used,” the district said.
Temple ISD
The Temple ISD says teachers may use the speech and accompanying resources as part of lessons, but says they’re not required to do so.
Parents who don’t want their children to watch the speech most notify the campus principal before Tuesday.
Killeen ISD
Killeen ISD students won’t watch the speech live, but instead the district will record the address and make it available on Wednesday to schools.
“We believe that our campus staff are best equipped to determine how and when the broadcast will be used,” the district said.
“This will enable staff to use the speech in ways that tie into the curriculum. For example, it could be used as a part of a civics/current events lesson, as part of Celebrate Freedom Week, on Constitution Day, or in a number of other ways,” the district said.
“For parents who want to view the speech it will be archived on the website referenced above. Interested parents should contact their school to see how the speech/resource will be utilized. If parents do not want their students to view the webcast they should contact the principals so that alternate learning arrangements can be made,” the district said.
Copperas Cove ISD
The Copperas Cove ISD won’t show the speech live, but will make copies available to teachers who may chose to show it. Parents may request that students not be required to view the speech, should teachers decide to use it.
Midway ISD
Midway ISD students won’t watch the speech live, but will be able to watch a recording on Wednesday, followed by a discussion with teachers.
Parents who don’t want their children to watch the speech may request an alternate activity that will be led by teachers, the district said.
“The language of (Education) Secretary (Arne) Duncan’s letter and the information regarding the speech content garnered from USDE and White House websites are consistent with the ideals of educational excellence and hard work that are securely in place in Midway ISD,” the district said.
Administrators will watch the speech live on Tuesday and if the content strays from what the letter described, will decide whether to cancel the scheduled viewing on Wednesday.
Parents with concerns should contact school principals, the district said.
Latest Comments
It is so hypocrtical to hear those who say My child won't hear the president's speech and, in the same breath, state that government programs are a failure when the government program of public school is a prime example that many government programs DO Work! The Social Security government program is a wonderful example of an excellent working-extremely-well government program. It would be a much worse world for Americans without those government programs. Citizens should work to prevent fraud, abuse, & waste in the system, so government will be more effective. Don't throw out the Baby with the wash water!
I don't give a rat's tail if Obama was green, pink and polka-dotted, I don't want my children watching this!! Period. No race card, just the facts Jack!
To My and Laura, This president doesn't deserve any respect. Read the two books he wrote. If that doesn't change your mind, then you're just like him.
