Font ResizeIf principals OK the student-directed address — which will mark the first time an American president has spoken directly to the country's schoolchildren about education — then individual teachers will choose whether to show the speech during class.
Principals will inform parents by today whether they will allow teachers to show the Webcast, which has sparked some controversy among parents nationwide who believe the speech is spreading a political agenda.
If parents don't want their child watching the address, teachers will make available alternate learning exercises, or the parents can excuse the student from class, said Boulder Valley spokesman Briggs Gamblin.
“We would rather have the student in school, either watching the speech or doing an alternative activity,” Gamblin said. “But if a parent wants to excuse their child, they can do that.”
Jon Wolfer, principal of Boulder's Douglass Elementary, said Thursday that several parents have called him — both with concerns about and support for Obama's speech, which White House officials have said will address the importance of education.
“One message I received was a concern about it being a political message and not appropriate for their child to hear,” he said.
Wolfer said he'll allow teachers to show the address at all grade levels in his school, if they want.“I think that anytime the president of the United States wants to address students, I want to provide a venue,” he said.
Wolfer said he's referring the staff to a district policy that says “teaching about controversial issues is of significant educational value” for several reasons, including: “Free discussion is the heart of the democratic process.” Controversial issues are relevant to a curriculum that seeks to help students become participating citizens, and they spur critical thinking, according to the policy.
Teachers are responsible for determining the appropriateness of the issue and making available alternate learning activities for students who don't want to participate. They also should make students aware when they're making statements of opinion, not fact, according to the policy
Wolfer stressed that parents can excuse their children from the Obama Webcast if their teacher chooses to show it.“I just hope they will send their children to school,” he said. “I would hate for them to miss a full day of school for the 15- to 20-minute address.”
Tim Carlin has a daughter in sixth grade at Centennial Middle School in Boulder and said he would like her to have the opportunity to hear Obama's message.
“It's the president of the United States, and I'm an American, and she's an American, so absolutely,” he said. “I think it's phenomenal that someone as important as the president sees value in communicating with the students.”
Meryl Hansen, a senior at New Vista High, said she expects her teachers will let students tune in next week “because our school is pretty liberal.”
“I would respect the teacher's decision, but I think I would be disappointed if we didn't get to watch,” said Meryl, 17.
She hopes Obama talks not only about education but about other topics facing the nation, including health care. As far as education issues go, Meryl said, she wants to hear Obama's ideas about alternative types of learning — like at New Vista.
“How can they make it so that education is more real?” she said. “There's lots of stuff we learn that we don't ever use.”
Boulder High sophomore Gracie Harding, 15, called Obama's address “cool” and said she wants to watch.
“It's good that he's reaching out to kids and not just relating to the adults,” she said.
“He's getting the next generation prepared,” said Gracie's classmate Dana Ludtke, 15. “And that's good.”
When to watch: The White House is encouraging principals, teachers and students to watch President Obama deliver an address about the importance of education at 10 a.m. mountain time Tuesday. It will be broadcast live on the White House Web site at www.whitehouse.gov.
