WACO (September 3, 2009)—Unlike students in major Central Texas school districts, the 190 students who attend Waco’s Rapoport Academy will watch President Barack Obama’s nationally televised speech Tuesday.

“Having an opportunity for students to listen to the speech provides a springboard for critical analysis and discussion of independent thinking,” said school founder and Superintendent Dr. Nancy Grayson in a statement issued Friday.

“Isn’t this what education fosters...offering content that spurs intelligent dialogue?”

The 10-year-old charter school district, which serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade, won a recognized rating this year from the Texas Education Agency.

Rapoport’s Meyer Public High School and Quinn Campus Public Middle School both earned exemplary ratings this year, and its Rapoport Elementary school won a recognized rating.

Citing logistical problems and parent concerns, major Central Texas school districts said Thursday they won’t require students to watch the 17-minute speech Mr. 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.”

In a move to placate concerned parents, some of whom have threatened to keep children out of school Tuesday, the White House said it will post a transcript of the speech on its Web site on Monday.

It’s not the first time a sitting U.S. president has addressed students.

Presidents Ronald Reagan in 1988 and George H. W. Bush in 1991 delivered similar addresses, without drawing the ire of either conservatives or liberals.

But some conservative critics accuse Mr. Obama of trying to promote a political agenda, and claim his speech will inject the federal government too far into public school business.

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.