Posted on 09/04/2009 1:18:36 PM PDT by Bulldawg Fan
ATLANTA (September 4, 2009) – This week, Senator John Douglas (R-Social Circle) fought to ensure that Georgia classrooms were given the opportunity to choose how their class time is used during the broadcast of President Barack Obama’s “Back- to-School” address. As a result, the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) released a statement to Georgia school systems noting that instructional time is a valuable commodity for schools and if a decision is made to show the video, it is important that its viewing and any subsequent discussion be tied directly to the standards being taught at the school. In addition, the GaDOE requires that students who choose not to watch the video have that option and are not penalized for their decision.
"During my initial contact with Georgia Department of Education Chief of Staff, Steven Pruitt, I expressed concern that some school districts in Georgia might make the President's speech mandatory viewing for students,” said Sen. Douglas. “Not only will it not be required viewing in Georgia, but the Georgia Department of Education mentions that they were not consulted by the White House and school hours are valuable and should be used wisely. I am very pleased with the response from our DOE and appreciate their attention to this situation."
At noon, on Tuesday, September 8, President Obama will deliver a "Back-to-School" address that will be broadcast via the web and on C-Span. The White House and the U.S. Department of Education did not involve the GaDOE in the planning of this event. Rather the federal government circumvented the state agency by sending a letter directly to principals and local superintendents inviting students to view the speech. The broadcast will take place during many students’ lunch hour or valuable instructional time.
“It appears that President Obama is out-of-touch with the hefty tasks that our teachers and students are asked to fulfill everyday in the classroom and how valuable each minute is,” said Douglas. “It is unwise in my eyes to ask our educators to put their day on hold for a program which neither supports daily curriculum nor has proven educational value. In this day of technology, the speech can easily be viewed after school hours.”
There is nothing in state or federal law that would require or prohibit a school from showing this speech to students and the decision lies completely with local school officials. In the event a school plans to show the broadcast, parents must be notified ahead of time as well as be provided an opportunity to opt out their students through the form provided on the GaDOE website. Although suggested lesson plans have been made available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/, they will not be used since they are not a part of the required state curriculum and children will not be penalized if they choose not to participate in the broadcast.
A memo released on the Fulton County School Systems website states: As parents know, the Fulton County School System focuses on instruction and teaching the state’s new curriculum, the Georgia Performance Standards, so that students can achieve – and exceed – their personal and educational goals. Daily instructional time is a precious resource; therefore, schools are under no obligation to watch the address, either through the webcast or on C-SPAN.
If parents have questions about the video, they are encouraged to contact their local school or school system. You can learn more about this event at http://www.ed.gov/admins/lead/academic/bts.html. It is important to note that children will have a chance to watch his address with their parents after school hours, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/.
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Sen. John Douglas serves as Chairman of the Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee. He represents the 17th Senate District which includes Newton County and portions of Henry, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0503 or by e-mail at john.douglas@senate.ga.gov.
lol....is this for real?
Although suggested lesson plans have been made available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/mediaresources/, they will not be used since they are not a part of the required state curriculum
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Big Georgia PING! ...suggested lesson plans? BS!
I grew up in Atlanta and did the public school thing,(Northside ‘77), and I know that every available TV in that system will be tuned in to watch zero.
Good for them! GATA Bulldawg Fan!!
-Just heard Cox has the flu.
At least one Fulton County School (Georgia) has sent a letter home to-day with each student . The letter states that the school will not show the Obama PR on Tuesday. It will be recorded and reviewed by the teaching staff to examine its suitability for student review at a later date. There will also be an “opt out” letter to be given to parents if they choose not to have their child exposed to the material later on (if the school decides to use it within some educational context).
That is beautiful! I’m calling around schools right now in my area of Michigan to see if they would do the same...
Georgia ROCKS!!!!! Great post. Thanks.
Thanks for the link. Overall the material looks good within the confines of a social studies class. The main thing I see wrong in my quick once-over is the assumption that Obama will inspire the students. And putting up quotes from his speech in class is a little creepy.
Well, that and him supposedly harping on personal responsibility, a concept that is anathema to liberals.
1. Just because he wants to doesn’t mean Obama automaticly gets to be in the classroom....he needs a bonofide, substantial reason for being there.
2. Obama is against vouchers: the kids in terrible schools could go to better schools..if he were interested in real education, he would be in favor of vouchers..
3. This could be the “camel nose in the tent”...Obama is costing the networks millions of $$s with his prime time telecasts...he may start that with schools now...
4. What in Obama’s history would make anybody think this speech would be innocent and good for America...whatever he says will be anti-America, anti-freedoms and all lies.
5. How can anybody be taken in by this guy after all that he has done this year? Will Vann Jones be standing behind him?
Absolutely real.
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