ARLINGTON (September 8, 2009)—President Barack Obama exhorted the nation’s schoolchildren to stay in school, respect their teachers, set goals and do their best Tuesday, but students in major Central Texas districts weren’t among those watching what turned out to be a controversial live satellite and Internet broadcast.

Students at Waco’s Rapoport Academy did watch the speech live Tuesday, but major area districts recorded the speech and generally are leaving it up to teachers whether to show it and allowing parents to opt out if they don’t want their children to view the address.

In the speech, Mr. Obama admitted Tuesday that as a student he was "a little bit of a goof off."

He told students they all have "something to offer" and that it's up to them to find out what it is.

Mr. Obama wasn’t the first president to give such a school-opening pep talk; Presidents George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan made similar speeches.

But conservative groups and individuals accused Mr. Obama of stepping too far into local education.

Although the speech didn't include any references to controversial issues such as health care reform, one student asked Mr. Obama during a small-group meeting before the speech why the country doesn't have universal health insurance.

Mr. Obama replied, "I think we need it. I think we can do it."

Major District Plans

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 watched 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.