We have received notice from the U.S. Department of Education that President Obama will deliver an address to students on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 12:00 noon. The address will be broadcast live on the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov . According to the press release, “The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.”
This address is receiving a lot of attention in the media, both positive and negative. Our understanding is that the address will be archived on the White House website for students and families to view at their convenience if they so desire. Therefore, schools should not alter their schedules so that each student may view the address, and teachers are not required to interrupt their lessons to show the broadcast. However, if a teacher chooses to incorporate the presidential address into his or her lesson, the teacher should inform his or her students and their parents by this Friday, September 4, 2009 of the plan to view the address in class on Tuesday. If a parent or guardian does not want his or her child to view the address, or if a student over 18 does not want to view the address, the student will be excused from the class.
Our understanding is that the address will be archived on the White House website for students and families to view at their convenience if they so desire. Therefore, schools should not alter their schedules so that each student may view the address, and teachers are not required to interrupt their lessons to show the broadcast.There you go! That's the alternative EVERY school district should recognize. There's NO reason to interrupt the school day, which is FULL enough already, for a presidential speech. |