Obama to Talk to Students, Less Parents Concerned
By: Stephanie Sobic
Updated: September 13, 2010
Last school year, President Obama announced he was going to give a live speech to kids about education. Before the speech aired, some parents were outraged and said they didn't want their kids to be there for the speech.
Tuesday, the President will give another speech to students. Last year was kind of this 'fear of the unknown'. Parents were concerned that President Obama wouldn't stick to his script and he would use this speech to sell his agenda. Turns out the President read the speech word for word. Now, parents are faced with the same option of pulling their kids out of class during the back to school speech. Only, this time it seems like the heat has been turned way down.
"Last year, I think we were definitely surprised by the response to the President wanting to address school children back to school," explains Mike Adkins with ECISD.
Now, with his second speech scheduled, Adkins says there's been barely any negative response. Like ECISD, MISD says they've seen a significantly less response from parents about the President Obama's second speech.
"There is a big difference, we haven't received much response from parents and the community members on campus, or phone calls here at the district," explains Woodrow Bailey with MISD.
Both districts agree that the president's speech last year was appropriate and that's why they're choosing to show his second speech.
"It talked about how important education is and how they need to take responsibility for their own learning and do what the teachers say and use education as a spring board to lead them into better lives," says Adkins.
"Our Superintendent, Dr. Warren, sent out the information basically saying that this is an educational opportunity that were going to make available to our students," says Bailey.
Of course, students can still opt out of watching the speech; all they need is signed note from parents. The speech is scheduled to air at Tuesday at noon and if your student is in class or at lunch, both MISD and ECISD said those students will have other opportunities to view this speech.
