Many students hear president's speech in school

Parents could opt to exclude children from Obama's address

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009

The president called upon students to take responsibility for their education and lives by setting goals and staying in school. Speaking from Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va., he said students should not use excuses, even if they have their own struggles while growing up.

"… at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life — what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home — that's no excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude," Obama said. "That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class or dropping out of school. That's no excuse for not trying."

In Mike Denny's civics class at Leonardtown High School, students watched the address live. Denny said the speech tied in with other lessons and delivered a message consistent with what he tells his students. He said no students in his class opted out of viewing the speech. "It's no longer business as usual. They understand the significance of the speech," he said.

Students afterward said the idea of setting goals and taking responsibility for their own actions was meaningful, especially during tough economic times.

Jacob Page of Leonardtown related his own issues with trying to re-enroll in school after returning to Maryland and having to spend the summer working construction.

"It's a lot smarter to do what you have to do while you're here" and have the education needed to land a good job, Page said.

"He's trying to get all of the people who are fooling around to turn themselves around and do the right things," he said of the president's speech. Page is trying to earn an extra half-credit to be promoted to a junior after struggling in a school in Florida last year, he said.

During his address, Obama related a bit about his own school years and his perseverance during hard times.

He said parents, teachers and even government are responsible for children's well-being and education. "But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world — and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed," the president said.

Obama said that every student has something he or she is good at and that each has a responsibility to get a good education. "You can't let your failures define you, you have to let them teach you," Obama said.

The U.S. Department of Education encouraged students of all ages, teachers and administrators to watch the address, but it became a subject of political controversy in the days leading up to the speech.

Superintendent Michael Martirano sent a letter home to all parents last Friday outlining the school system's position on the president's speech after receiving many inquiries about how it would be handled. The letter included a slip for parents to sign if they wanted their children excused from listening to the speech.

Other school systems, including Charles County, opted not to show the speech at all, citing technology issues or other logistical problems.

While there was no mandate for St. Mary's public schools to show the speech, Martirano said that teachers could choose to show it if it was appropriate for a specific instructional class.

"I think that most teachers will fold it into their lessons," said Scott Smith, director of secondary instruction, administration and school improvement. He said that identifying goals and career paths is embedded in local curriculum.

The speech and suggested learning resources were posted on the White House Web site before the speech was given for parents and educators to review. The speech is also available on the St. Mary's public school Web site.

Denny said it was worth watching the speech during class even if it struck a chord with just one student. He criticized other school systems that opted out of showing it entirely.

"We're a federal school system," he said, adding that influence in schools from the federal government started years ago with the No Child Left Behind Act. The message was a positive one for students, he said.

"It was a nice treat getting to see this," senior Mike Cross said. He agreed with his teacher that the speech could have a positive impact on students' behaviors.

jyeatman@somdnews.com