CISD students can opt out of Obama address but much left to teachers

THE WOODLANDS, Texas –– President Barack Obama is set to address students nationwide Wednesday and Conroe pupils have the chance to opt out but whether they see the address is up to the teacher.



The speech will count as a regular part of the course curriculum, so teachers can decide whether or not to show it to their students.



“Teachers will use the information as part of the curriculum, so there is no need to opt out,” said Kathy Clark, spokesperson for Conroe ISD. “Everything is a classroom decision.”



If parents do want students to not watch the address, they would have to contact the teacher, Clark said.



Obama’s address last year caused a furor among Republicans and conservatives who claimed he was trying to indoctrinate school children.



The address aims to tackle education: according to the White House’s website, “The President’s Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. In past years, President Obama has encouraged students to study hard and take responsibility for their education, urging students to set goals, to believe in themselves and to be the authors of their own destinies.”



The address however did not result in any positive or negative feedback directed at CISD last year, Clark said.



Obama is not the first President to address students nationwide. President George H. W. Bush gave a similar televised speech to students in 1991. A full transcript of his remarks can be read at the link below.