This really shouldn't even be an issue, shouldn't be headline news. Why does everything have to be so political?

If this president were a white man it wouldn't even be an issue.

Fathers and mothers in this country should be ashamed of themselves. Obama is doing nothing more than what past presidents have done, and they whine because he wants to tell them to stay in school and ask them how he can do a better job? Shameful, absolutely shameful.

BTW, hasn't the president released the text of what he is going to say to students? I thought I read that earlier but I cannot find it. If he has and you know the link, please post it. Thanks.

Wasn't W reading to school kids when the planes hit the WTC? I'm sorry, I don't get it. Reagan came to my H's school when he was a kid. He still has the flag that he got as a souvenior. Does anyone know if Obama's speech will be on regular television? I'd like my preschooler to watch it.

It has nothing to do with him being black or white. It has to do with what his agenda is for this country. I for one will keep my kids out of school on September 8th. It is bad enough how liberal the teachers are and what they are teaching the students. Children should be taught what they can do to help the country not to help the president. 2012 can not come fast enough!

Even debating this issue pays a huge disrespect to this country and to the Office of the President of the United States. This protest against the President of the United States speaking to the school children of this country is indefensible and inexcusable. It shows a disgusting even frightening embrace of racism and hate. And to those hypocrites who claim that a President should not speak to school children because he may have some hidden political agenda, (in a speech encouraging children to stay in school, no less), where were they when Bush did it and Reagan did it before him?

My parents should be informed about Obama speaking to us although I am only a 10 year old child and I have no say so in this big issue.I am just afraid that Obama may be speaking about things that I don't belive in. I am not taking sides.

I think it is outrageous that this speech is controversial. I have supported every president of this country even when I didn't vote for them. This man is trying to speak directly to our students to help them understand the importance of education. Why is this even an issue? As a parent and a teacher I am perplexed by this controversy!

TO: mcase02...You say it has nothing to to with race, but Obama's "agenda". Oh, and now teachers are liberal? Seriously? Teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic is now a liberal agenda? No wonder the USA ranks so low on test scores world wide. You parents with no education or common sense, need to stop complaining about EVERYTHING. So, keep your children out of school on Tuesday. Your major ignorance is showing. You and your ilk also are ruining the GOP. Congrats for at least doing something, no matter how wrong or ignorant, TO your country and you children, grands, great grands, presuming you have any.

The President's speech is a chance for a great civics lesson. Whether or not you agree with him. His words for children have been to inspire. He wants children to aspire to something greater than they might think they are worthy of. My gosh such negativity is disheartening.

Carla

Oh and by the way. Not only did the first President Bush speak to the American children, he did it from a school. And he did speak on two separate occasions.

Carla

I am thinking this is an excuse for an extended holiday as much as anything. If this was a freezing wed in march no one would care!

When I was young it would have been an honor for the president to speak to me as a student. There would have been no pole taken on the issue. There is a lot of hate and discontent across the country. It shows in a pole of this type. To all of you who voted NO..please go somewhere else in this world where you will have it this good. Where you don't have to respect your leader. TRY CHINA or RUSSIA or VENEZUELA. Check into their welfare programs. See what opportunity is there for you to get rich through hard work and dedication.

Well is he going to speak with some HS kids about policy or is he reading a book to a Kindergarten class? Are HS skids watching a speech and then debating it or are middle school kids watching a speech and then being instructed by teachers to write a paragraph about why they support what the President said.
Although a lot of racist would like you to think this is about race it's really about policy. We all know that the majority of teachers are on the left. And that is where a big question comes in; Will these teachers be pushing their's and President Obama's leftist agenda or teaching those to young that Obama policy is the best policy with no opportunity for debate or sharing of other opinions? Liberals cause this worry because all they want to do is shut down those that say things that they don't agree with.

This is exactly why I home- school my children!

Speak to school children ?? He should spend his time "speaking" to the many "child like" adults in today's me first society !

Liberal loonies:

Why would I want Barack, the confused, to lecture my kids when he has demonstrated quite clearly after his health care initiative that he is unable to communicate clearly. He should stick to his duties of the white house and try to do better job of communicating to the adults first. Maybe then I'll allow him to speak to my kids. Grow up liberals!

What's all the fuss? There is no difference whether a teacher preaches the liberal socialist agenda or the President himself.

Mr. Obama IS the President of the United States. It is quite offensive and insulting that this is being debated. It is a travesty that the superintendents in this area are allowing the politics to dictate their actions; taping the message and scruntizing it to decide if it's appropriate for children,or deciding on a school by school basis. This is ridiculous! All Presidents in the past have televised messages to school children, so why is this an issue?

I don't recall much about past presidents speaking at schools but I seem to recall that when they did speak they did not have all of the nations schools watch it on television or the internet (Bush presidency).

Also the main controversy is about the lesson plans taht were being offered by staff chosen by the presidents appointees. This goes to far. Let Obama go to a school and speak and let the media cover it as news.

The teachers union always backs a democrat for office. This is a hidden propaganda campian. Have the students watch and talk about the Reverend Wright debacle. Then we can sure that this is about balance.

This is what I want to know; why is it that people are afraid to let their children hear the President speak? These parents speak of political agenda being pushed but they KNOW that his speach will be about education, not politics. I don't care what these REDICULOUS people are saying, we all know that if President Obama was a middle aged white man there would be NO problem. So what if you don't agree with his health care plan. What does that have to do with him telling your kids to stay in school? And since I have this opportunity to speak on President Obama, another question I have is, why is it that it took YEARS for our economy to fall apart yet these people out here are looking to Obama to fix it overnight? This man hasn't been in office a year yet! I was so happy when our nation voted in our first Black President, but now I feel like people are going to do everything in their power to make sure that he fails, or at least make it look like he is failing. And if you don't think so, this speaking to the children issue is a perfect example. All he is trying to do is continue a tradition. And now, after so many other presidents have spoken to children, Obama speaking is a problem. This entire issue just shows that racism is alive and well in this country and anyone who believes otherwise is foolish and in denial. Make all of the excuses you want to for this absurd uproar, but the bottom line is there have ALWAYS been opposing views with every president that has even been in office, but NEVER has there been such an issue with the president speaking to school children. Until now....hmmmm. I guess its just a coincidence that this happens when a black president is in office! Who are these people kidding?

I don't feel that this is a racist decision for most Americans. I feel that right now in the situation this country is in right now there are more important things the President needs to be dealing with then reminding school kids to stay in school! He needs to be addressing the issues that are going to make or break this great country we all live in. We are in a horrible state and it needs his attention now! He needs to become focused on the urgent important issues. Too many times we are hearing his oint of view flip-flopping according to what the majority view is. We want to know what his true views are and the action that is to be done! We needs a Leader! We want whatever "change" is to be done to be what we the people want - not what the Democrats only want! I'm tired of this country being divided into political parties and race! Weare All Americans and if we do not unite and act like civilized humans we will not get anything accomplished. So no, it should not be an issue for the President to speak to school kids, if the timneing were better and we were not in a state of urgency to get a handle on the important issues of this great land! I for one do not feel it is a necessary event at this time. He should be dealing with Presidential itinerary. If anything, why doesn't Mrs. Obama speak with the schoolkids?

As others have noted, if you think the President of the United States giving a message to schoolchildren to work hard, be responsible for themselves and stay in school is some sort of problem worth protesting over, then you are an Idiot, with a capital I.

how embarrassing is it that we even have to discuss the President of the UD speaking to school children.......how racist......how sad

As a teacher, I am terrified that someone could actually make this statement and not realize the importance of education to limiting crime, poverty, and broken homes. Since when is education not the cornerstone of a free democracy that allows people to access knowledge and make informed decisions?

"...there are more important things the President needs to be dealing with then reminding school kids to stay in school! He needs to be addressing the issues that are going to make or break this great country we all live in."

No, the reality that illiteracy is growing and that those who are graduating read on average, at an 8th grade level, is not a problem that will make or break our country.

No, the fact that number of prisons built are determined by the reading levels of middle schoolers, since the inability to read significantly limits what people can do in life, is not a problem that will make or break out country.

The fact that the quote above was taken from a post that was incoherent, seems to only further my point that education is crucial.

So many things could be said but one must be - President Ronald Regan spoke to junior high school students on 11/14/1988 - after the election of George Bush - he was now an outgoing 2 term president and his VP was coming into office. This was shown live in many schools via the satellite available. There was also a q&a w/students. Read the text of the whole speech including the q&a and don't tell me his agenda and policies were not given out to those students. Go to his presidential library site and read the archives of this speech. All of you against the speech are hypocrites and prejudice and I'm ashamed of America. I have no problem w/any president speeking to anyone - let them listen and then you as parents have the right to discuss w/your children your personal beliefs and views. By keeping the info. away from them you are no better than the countries w/government controlled tv. On 9/11/2001 this nation came together as one - i was never a bush fan and still I am not but during that time he rose to the occassion and I supported him in his role to lead this country. To do otherwise would have left us vulnerable to attacks. You all are now doing the same by dividing the country with your own scare tactics. One great president once said "we have nothing to fear but fear itself!" I pray deeply for the nation at this time and for all of those charged with leading and protecting our country.

So, let me get this straight, some folks now pledge allegiance to the GOP? Tsk.
Be careful, your fascism is showing.

Of course, students should hear the President of the United States? Mr. Obama received the majority of votes that showed our country wanted him to lead. Let him lead. If more parents were more involved with their children in general, maybe there would be no need for the speech. We are aware of the crime, drugs, drinking, lack of respect, failing grades, and general lostness of children. America needs to drop all the ridiculous objections. What are parents teaching their children when they show a lack of trust in the president? Parents will get this same treatment from their offspring when they fail to listen to them.

When John Kerry destroyed his draft card he was attacked as a traitor.

Now, when the same people tell their children to turn their back to the Commander in Chief, they consider themselves patriotic.

What's next - tell your children not to pay taxes if you don't like how some of the money is being spent? Don't sign up for the Selective Service if you don't like the war that's being fought? How hypocritical.. How pathetic!

I do not object to President Obama giving a speech to children to stay in school and pursue education. However, I do have a problem with the accompanied guided lesson plan for the teachers to use with the students. "What is the President saying to me?" "What is the President inspiring me to do?"

This is only a sampling of the questions but if you replace the word President with your personal God in each question, these are the questions most people of faith are taught to ask themselves after hearing, reading or studying their book of faith.

I don't know about you but no man's words are equivalent to my God's words.

As a former teacher now in private business, I support the president speaking to kids. The only agenda here is one we all share and that is rescuing our failing school system.

Some may recall the recent report on our schools by an education non-profit advocacy group headed by Colin Powell. http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/apr2008/scho-a03.shtml It states that the graduation rates for the 50 major urban school districts in the country on average is 50% or lower. Overall the graduation rate is 70%. The article contains some interesting additional observations. In some urban districts the graduation rates are as low as 35%. Of course income makes a huge difference and that is shown in the disparity between urban and suburban graduation rates. "The city-suburb split is also immense in such metropolitan centers as New York (47.4 percent vs. 82.9 percent), Cleveland (42.2 percent vs. 78.1 percent), Philadelphia (49.2 percent vs. 82.4 percent), Chicago (55.7 percent vs. 84.1 percent), Los Angeles (57.1 percent vs. 77.9 percent), and Atlanta (46.1 percent vs. 61.8 percent)."

"Powell founded America’s Promise Alliance, which is chaired by his wife, Alma, and is described as a joint effort of nonprofit groups, corporations, charities, community leaders, faith-based organizations and individuals. The former Secretary of State said of the study, “When more than 1 million students a year drop out of high school, it’s more than a problem, it’s a catastrophe.”

Also, beyond the issue of graduation rates, quality of education also varies tremendously. High school graduations are arriving poorly prepared for the rigors of college: http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/08/only_16_percent_of_michigan_hi.html.

A 70% graduation rate nationally is terrible for a developed country, especially one trying to rebuild its economy. Would any of our competitors accept such a situation. Let's take a look: http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=1653 And don't forget, these countries also have very strong vocational education tracks for those not heading to college.

So I applaud President Obama for taking this on. For those concerned about his efforts to encourage our students to stay in school, I encourage those parents to participate with their children or speak with them about it later. Remember that President Obama is also a father who loves his children and wants the best for them. Maybe we can start from there.

I find it unbelievable that this discussion is even happening. When I was in school(the 60's and 70's) our teachers turned on the World Series so we could all watch it. Also, didn't many of us watch the space shuttle lift off's in our classroom? I am from Wisconsin and I can bet you that when the Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl in 1997 that all TV's in the schools were tuned in to the welcome home celebration.
I am sure noone would mind watching any of these events in school but the parents of today do not respect the office of the President enough to have their children watch a 10 minute speech. It says a lot about the priorites of the people in this country.

We homeschool and we'll be watching. If not live, then later on C-SPAN.org

Indoctrinate the little ones at as young an age as you can. Thats how the Nazi's did it. It's not the fact that the President wants to make a speech it's the lesson plan. It asks the children to think about way its important that they listen to the President and other elected officials. To a child that means why is important that you do what the government tells you and don't ask questions. If you don't see the danger in that then you are either crazy or just plain dumb

This is exactly why I home- school my children!

This is exactly why your children will grow up ignorant and close minded.

im only thirteen. but alot of people are upset about this whole Obama giving a speach to the schools. im just afraid hes going to say things and everyone in these classes are going to believe him and somthing is going to go wrong. including how all he did was tell the schools and not the childrens parents i mean thats just wrong. Obama himself should be ashamed.

holly, I just don't know where to begin with the misconceptions. Just for starters. the full text of the speech was released yesterday, and it hasn't exactly been a big secret. Any parent who is concerned should have no problem deciding if his or her children will be harmed by hearing that we all have responsibilities, including school children.

Yes, President Obama should speake to our kids. I agree with some of the postings on the blog, if he was a white president this wouldn't be a concern. i personally remember seeing Presidents on tv at school. It was manadory. I had no choice, and keeping me home was just not acceptable back then. I would have gotten an unexcused absence w/o make up work

This is a really odd view point from the right. I honestly DONT get it. What is up with the fear of Gov. Sometimes I think its a cop-out to just not support political ideas they dont agree with. For example: "Because I dont like the Idea of health reform, the people who support it are Nazi's/communist." It gets old - use some critical thinking skills instead of this slippery slope BS