The Student Speech Brouhaha

The week prior to President Obama’s speech to the nations K-12 graders I read and heard both approval and disapproval. I wondered why there was any disapproval. I wondered what was the basis of the disapproval—the fear of his message. Anyone aware of the educational stats of U.S. students is familiar with the low performance of our students as compared to students in ‘poor’ countries around the world.

Our students should be made accountable for their participation in their education. What’s wrong with telling them that? President Obama is not the first president to address American students.

One commentator’s complaint was not about his message but his approach. She objected to his use of “instruction time” to get his message across. “The problem with the usurpation of nationwide instructional time on September 8 is not so much the message, but the manner. What gives Obama the legal right to trod upon the Constitution…” Linda Schrock Taylor, English composition teacher at a state university. I know it is said that one of the objections is the improper use of school time. Well, what about the instructional time used to teach tolerance of lifestyles? Where is the academic instruction during those sessions? But here’s my question to Ms. Taylor who didn’t seem to have an objection to the message but only the timing. What was the alternative? Show the speech at the end of the day and give it a ‘detention’ feel. But this is what I think is worse, she was one of many calling parents to take their children out of school—for the entire day—to avoid a 15 – 20 minute speech. Riiiiight!

I have spoken with students and teachers that heard the President’s speech and who thought it was encouraging. Not one person was in disagreement with what he said. So what was the brouhaha about? I read a copy of the speech I found on the internet and here is my only disagreement:

For students grades seven through 12, the government encourages students to "participate in a 'quick write' or brainstorming activity" before the President's remarks. (Why have them write anything before the speech? Let them listen to the speech and have a quick one-time discussion afterwards.)
"Teachers may post in large print around the classroom notable quotes excerpted from President Obama's speeches on education. Teachers might ask students to think alone, compare ideas with a partner, or share their thoughts with the class." (A one-time discussion after the speech is enough.)

I tend to agree with Progressive columnist and radio host, David Sirota, who said, “These are crazy people talking about pulling their kids out of school the day of the speech. These are people who just can't accept that Barack Obama was legitimately elected the President of the United States. Some of them can't accept it because he's a left-of-center liberal, and some can't accept it because he's black."

I didn’t hear from anyone I respect, including my grandsons, that the President said anything inappropriate to the students across America. I didn’t read anything inappropriate in the speech. So what was the true reason for the objection to his public encouragement to students? I don’t agree with the President on every issue, but this is one area he made cool points with me.