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[basketballdad]

Just when you thought it could not get any stranger. First, President Obama has a good idea. He wanted to give a speech to school children about the value of education and working hard, etc. It is a great idea and very worthwhile. However, like many thing, great ideas get messed up in the execution of the details. First, the timing is horrible. Most educators have very specifically planned plans for the first day. It is time of nervousness for both teachers and students alike and there is a lot to do as far as organization and setting the tone for a positive year. Having this come so late in the summer is disruptive and hard to plan around. It is possible but the timing was off. Second, handing out teaching materials was a mistake on so many fronts. It seems like you are pushing an agenda when you rush out materials to school districts around the country. It also insults the intelligence and ability of the teachers you are trying to help. With some lead time I could plan my own activities around his message that would be substantially more appropriate and much less controversial. While it was a great idea the execution of the plan left something to be desired.

However, as much as I can point out the flaws in how the administration set forth this idea I can also see the hysteria by those that are upset by his speech. Some of the teaching materials handed out might be suspect but having the President highlighting the importance of education is somehow controversial. Every complaint I have read focuses on teaching materials not the actual speech.Everything I have read regarding what he is actually going to talk about is something most educators encourage every day. Work hard to get a quality education. Follow your dreams. On and on it goes. The actual message is one I would hope everyone would want their children to hear. Even when I use my creative mind to look for the evil underlying conspiracy I am hard pressed to find it. As usual though, the hysteria causes complaints and thus some school districts overreact. Sad but true. As a general rule if you told any high school student what the controversy was about their reaction would be rather typical. They would have the "who passed gas" look on their face and be wondering what is the big deal. I have seen many strange and unusual things occur in school and not even a blip on the complaint radar. Having a president extol the virtues of education beccome controversial and suddenly the yelling begins. Go figure.

As a matter of record this is one fight I don't care about as I was not going to show it due to some of the previously mentioned items listed above. When the leader of our country wants to encourage kids to get an good education and it becomes controversial then you have to wonder what is going on.

[EWSoccer64]

There are many more important things to argue and debate about than Obama's speech to kids in school.   Let's see what he actually says before getting whipped up into hysteria. 

Sending out the "teaching materials" was dumb, on many fronts.

[Crystal Ball]

You know, Hitler brainwashed the kids of Germany...

I don't have a problem with promoting education, or really asking for kids opinions.  "Out of the mouths of babes" sort of thing.  It was bad timing, and poor judgement, but there is an underlying theme to all of this.

[Trackside14]

I think what upset a lot of people including myself is the video that was shown last week to kids in Utah and then it is announced that the President would make a nationwide address to the children.  Seeing this video is what made me concerned about what was in the speech.  In the "I Pledge"
video it starts out with a bunch of hollywood stars pledging to do things like smile more.  The things they are pledging to do in the first half of the video I think are good things but as it goes on and people start pledging to only flush once etc it starts going in a statist progressive direction very quickly.  The end of the video is very disturbing as everyone pledges to "serve Barrack Obama" and "serve the President."  He is not a king or a dictator.  It is fine to pledge to "serve your country" or "pledge allegiance to the United States of America" but the President and the Congress work for us "WE the People".  When we are asked to "serve" one person that is a problem and something we should all be concerned with.  To see the video go to this link:  http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/02/i-pledge-to-be-of-service-to-barack-obama/
Watch the entire thing and judge for yourself.

[basketballdad]

Crystal,

Yes there is an underlying theme which is to get a good education. If find your reference to Hitler rather offensive. It is historically inaccurate and used every time there is a desire to inspire emotion rather than reason. It's use is not unique to a particular party or political persuasion as I have seen it used to describe people on both the right and left. In all cases it used by those who are historically ignorant.

Trackside I agree with you on the Utah video. Once again, it starts out rather tame but turns into a poorly thought out and inappropriate message. I don't serve any master or person. (I hope my wife doesn't read this) Any educator could have previewed this and saw this mess coming.It did not take a genius to see where this went wrong.  However, the President should be smarter than that. If I am totally wrong and he comes out and says anything remotely like serving any individual then I will switch sides. For all the hysteria I would bet my last dollar his speech is going to be rather anticlimatic. Stay in school, get a good education, etc. etc. A positive message about education. If I am wrong I will eat my words on here.

[basketballdad]

Just read the text of what Obama is going to stay tomorrow on education. Turns out I was right. Nothing controversial or even remotely like what the hysterical people who thought he was trying to brainwash our youth to support him. Just like I thought. Stay in school, keep trying, overcome your obstacles, and being successful is hard work. Doesn't sound like a conspiracy to me. It is sad that the President of the United States encouraging kids to work hard and stay in school is controversial. Has it really become that bad politically. It would be humorous if it wasn't so pathetic. Here is a sample of the scary speech.

"But 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. 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.

Where you are right now doesn’t have to determine where you’ll end up. No one’s written your destiny for you. Here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future."

Pretty scary stuff, I would say.

[Trackside14]

It is always good to encourage kids to work hard and stay in school.  I do feel that the speech is too long for most children's attention span.  That would be my main criticism.  In fairness to everyone else basketballdad, originally the department of education did have lessons plans to go along with the speech that included the question" What can you do to serve the President?"  Because of the outcry they are now Not going to distribute those and I think you would agree, based on your previous post, that would have been inappropriate.  I wouldn't be too quick to jump on people for over reacting.  If you saw or heard that video and then saw what was in those lesson plans I think it was an appropriate conclusion to be concerned.  It is great to live on a free country where the people can express their concerns.  In this case, some mistakes were made, and the people were listened to and the mistakes were corrected.  We should do everything we can to protect free speech in this country regardless of one's political or social philosophy. 

[Crystal Ball]

Crystal,

Yes there is an underlying theme which is to get a good education. If find your reference to Hitler rather offensive. It is historically inaccurate and used every time there is a desire to inspire emotion rather than reason. It's use is not unique to a particular party or political persuasion as I have seen it used to describe people on both the right and left. In all cases it used by those who are historically ignorant.

Trackside I agree with you on the Utah video. Once again, it starts out rather tame but turns into a poorly thought out and inappropriate message. I don't serve any master or person. (I hope my wife doesn't read this) Any educator could have previewed this and saw this mess coming.It did not take a genius to see where this went wrong.  However, the President should be smarter than that. If I am totally wrong and he comes out and says anything remotely like serving any individual then I will switch sides. For all the hysteria I would bet my last dollar his speech is going to be rather anticlimatic. Stay in school, get a good education, etc. etc. A positive message about education. If I am wrong I will eat my words on here.

I think you may be the one historically ignorant...
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/Nazis_Education.htm

The underlying message about education should and does come from our educators.  Not some guy who uses every availale opportunity to promote his own face to the public.

[basketballdad]

Crystal,

Wrong again. Presidents have used the bully pulpit many times for many different topics. This is true for both Republican and Democratic presidents. No one begrudges Eisenhower for his push to increase math and science education on a scale never before seen when the Russians launched Sputnik. Not sure everyone would be criticizing Kennedy and Johnson for their public stances on education and how it relates to civil rights. Not to mention integration of our public schools. Nice try on the website but you miss my point. Of course HItler indoctrinated both children and adults. Did not disagree with that. Disagreed with your analogy to what the President was doing. That is where the historical inaccuracy occurs on a massive scale. If you want to worry about indoctrination look up how many billions of dollars are spent a year on advertising for stuff we don't need or want but we buy. At least if you dislike the President do it because you disagree with his policies which is very reasonable and not because of some concern that he was popular and people voted for him in record numbers. Emotion aside there are plenty of reasons to dislike him if you are a conservative other than some emotional reaction.

Trackside, we agree on most. I would still go back and say the concerns were based on the stupidity of those other than the President. The speech is not too long for middle school or high school students but for younger children you are probably right. Department of Education has on ocassion done some silly things both under Bush and now under Obama. I would focus my criticism there. One video in Utah and a couple or silly mistakes by some education bureaucrat does not make for a nation wide frenzy in my opinion.

[Crystal Ball]

Crystal,

Wrong again. Presidents have used the bully pulpit many times for many different topics. This is true for both Republican and Democratic presidents. No one begrudges Eisenhower for his push to increase math and science education on a scale never before seen when the Russians launched Sputnik. Not sure everyone would be criticizing Kennedy and Johnson for their public stances on education and how it relates to civil rights. Not to mention integration of our public schools. Nice try on the website but you miss my point. Of course HItler indoctrinated both children and adults. Did not disagree with that. Disagreed with your analogy to what the President was doing. That is where the historical inaccuracy occurs on a massive scale. If you want to worry about indoctrination look up how many billions of dollars are spent a year on advertising for stuff we don't need or want but we buy. At least if you dislike the President do it because you disagree with his policies which is very reasonable and not because of some concern that he was popular and people voted for him in record numbers. Emotion aside there are plenty of reasons to dislike him if you are a conservative other than some emotional reaction.

Trackside, we agree on most. I would still go back and say the concerns were based on the stupidity of those other than the President. The speech is not too long for middle school or high school students but for younger children you are probably right. Department of Education has on ocassion done some silly things both under Bush and now under Obama. I would focus my criticism there. One video in Utah and a couple or silly mistakes by some education bureaucrat does not make for a nation wide frenzy in my opinion.

This is not a bulypulpit, but our childrens classrooms.  I actually liked Obama in his first few months of campaigning, until I realized he had no real substance in what he was saying. You always were a rambling poster,who I usually ignored,  but try to stay on topic please.  Politics have no place in our public school system. Period.  As a parent, the last person I need to advise my kids on being successful and to study is the president. 

[basketballdad]

Crystal, I hate to burst your bubble but your childs classroom is built around politics. From the ridiculous assumptions in the Federal law that authorized AYP, to state mandates that are frequently unfunded and force local districts to ask local taxpayers to fund them, to contract negotiations from various unions that dictate certain procedures, to what is the defintion of basic education there is nothing but politics in your childs classroom. Some times the curriculum and textbooks become political. None of my department was going to show Obama's speech for a variety of reasons, none of which had anything to do with what he was going to say. However, a few people complained and the District had to come out with a mandate about not showing it. Now that the text has come out it was a big to do about nothing. Ironically, just a few days previously we had a reminder about the policy regarding academic freedom and the proper way to present controversial material that was part of the curriculum Racism, the Holocaust, genocide, war, and protests are just a few of he topics I cover in my classes. Never have I had a complaint because I use appropriate resources, accept diverse viewpoints, and keep my parents informed in advance. However, a speech by the President and it suddenly becomes a major issue. The ridiculous nature of this subject only reminds me that just when I thought I had seen it all I am shown how wrong I am. I worked in the political arena many years ago and got into education to get away from it. By my second year I had come to the realization that at times there is more politics in education than in the real politics.  It was not a pleasant realization but I dealt with it.

[Crystal Ball]

Oh I know politics are in my kids classrooms. Last year after Obama was elected my daughter brought home multiple art project, writing projects and class news articles.  Every week for at least two months!  TOO MUCH! Don't get me started on the liberal high school teachers.  Possibly if teachers taught our kids more of the materials they were hired to teach, and less of their own liberal ideals then the kids in this country wouldn't be so far behind the rest of the world.

You do know that the pressure from the right caused the white house to change the speech and lesson plan?  What was posted Monday afternoon was the "changed" version.  It was the "silly craziness" that was needed to bring light to this situation and keep it from our kids, providing parents didn't want them exposed to it. I wonder why he didn't public media, give parents the option of seeing it with their kids, so they could encourage them as well and cement the same thought process of education's importance in their lives.  Interesting about the timing, so late in the year, with only a few days to push it through.. kind of like the health plan, stimulous.. "Quick! Push it through before anyone notices what we're doing!" should be the new white house motto!

[basketballdad]

Crystal,

I do believe you have your facts wrong. Nothing was changed as far as the speech was concerned. A few department of education officials made some really silly moves by creating some inappropriate materials and rushing them out there. I doubt that President Obama really had time to worry about and oversee this. When they came out some people got upset. That is a totally distinct issue. The President did not change what he was going to say. The materials that came out were modified and explained due to pressure not his speech. The silly craziness I refer to has to do with the speech not the educational materials. The educational materials were in error and insulting to me. However, the speech was standard fare that I try and promote every day in my classroom. Still not sure what the big deal is. No one has yet said what in the speech was so controversial.

The myth of the liberal teacher bias still exists. Yes there are a small percentage of teachers on both the right and the left who do and say inappropriate things that are not called for. However, if you are aware of the state mandates regarding curriculum there is little time available to start deviating from what is supposed to be taught. Unfortunately, the state is moving in the direction of having every teacher be in lockstep with the others of the same grade and/or subject. I am not sure what liberal ideals you are referring to since the skills I teach have nothing to do with political ideals. As far as the content there are approved texts and supplemental materials that are approved by our local school board. If you have a complaint I suggest you talk to the state and your local school board since they are the ones who approve curriculum.

[goldengoal]

Cmon b-ball dad, are you really that naive to think that the President is not responsible? Politicians will tell you one thing on camera and push out something completely different on paper. In this case they got caught for trying to push an agenda that is not approved by the American public, yet. It takes time to brainwash people, although it sounds like they have you. I am a centrist and think we need more people in the middle because the loonies on the far right and the far left have screwed this country way too long. Obviously they are loudest and eventually convince us to go one way or the other, but one of these days we will get our turn, until then I will vote with whoever is closest to the middle.

We can even relate this to soccer when DOS said one thing at the meeting and the material handed out and what they did at tryouts  was something else.(According to WPS sources) How about the PDL promises? Not bashing either, just trying trying to make a point. No one is perfect, even Obama. Apart from making some mistakes, he does have an agenda and he will do what he can to push the agenda for as long as it takes him. I  remember his victory speech where he mentioned that it may take more than 4 years for him to accomplish his goals, so even before he was in office he was already running for a 2nd term. It is all psychological my friend.

Reaganomics kept the Republicans in office for 12 years, so can Obamaniacs keep the Democrats in office longer than that and maybe even change America? We shall see, but until then, I am keeping any eye on the far left and the far right.

Where is Ron Paul now anyway?

[Crystal Ball]

BBD, you really need to get your head out of the sand.  There are 4 educators in my family who have all had issues with the "liberal teacher".   I personally have run into many for ALL of my kids. 

My point still remains the same.  There is no room for politicians, no matter who they are, in the classroom.  The real issue was the lesson plan following the speach which asked the kids to write a letter about how they could "help Obama".  That was taken out and changed and I'm glad to see that quite a few school districts decided to boycott the speech.

 If he wanted to get his message across he should have pre-empted Hannah Montana, or some other kids show.  Oh wait that might have cost him a few bucks being Disney and all.  No NBC/CBS freebies.  Last I heard they were even getting tired of him taking prime time television and turning it into his continuous pulpit.

Enough though, you can't seem to stay on target.  Not every subject has to be turned around into what a great teacher you are and how you don't do things.  Just because it doesn't pertain to you doesn't mean it doesn't exist.  Just because you aren't aware of something personally doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

[basketballdad]

Crystal, since I actually work in education and have for a while I think I might know a little more about they myth of the liberal teacher. Whatever issues you may have and your fellow family members is not my business and I can't comment on. But I take offense at your ridiculous assumption that they are waves of liberal teachers who seek to indoctrinate the youth of today into some sort of agenda. Like the bogeyman it doesn't exist. I teach in more conservative community and our staff reflects that. Our teachers are split rather evenly between both parties and we are able to have great discussions in social setting or at lunch. You take problems with a few teachers and translate that into a generalization that wouldn't pass muster in any classroom.

Guess I disagree with you since I brought in politicians, both Republican and Democrat, when I taught government. Every administrator I have ever taught under has been a politician. How and when a teacher phrases comments toward parents has some political attitude in it. If you don't want politics in the classroom you had better homeschool your kids since it is everywhere. Talk about head in the sand.

All your personal attacks aside and snide comments to the contrary, we do agree that the lesson plans are inappropriate. However, if you can point to one point in the Presidents speech that is inappropriate then I will eat my words. That is the point, you are proud that school districts boycotted the speech. Having read it, do you still agree with that statement. If so, then we will just agree to disagree since the ideals he promotes in his speech most good teachers of all political persuasions try to instill in their students every day.

[Crystal Ball]

You know for an educator, you aren't very bright or you would have actually read my posts.  Not everything pertains to you or how "great" you are.  I know there are politics in school, read my previous posts... It doesn't mean I like it or think it is appropriate on any level UNLESS the course being taught requires it. 

Oh, and by the way, the 4 educators have a combined 90 years of teaching experience, I would think that they know something about the liberal left dominance in our schools.  But of course that is their experience.

[basketballdad]

Sorry Crystal, keep throwing out words I don't say. Much as I appreciate your thoughts on how good a teacher I am that is not the topic so try to stay on topic. If you had read my posts then you would have noticed that politics is in every classroom. Try to stay up to speed. From the curriculum that is mandated, to the textbooks chosen, to the videos and speakers that come into the class politics is part of the classroom. Whether you or your family admit it it is part of the equation. Nothing wrong with it used wisely. I keep talking about the professionals I work with and you keep talking about me. I am done because you have a fixation on the liberal teacher that you can't get past. My fixation is on the very fine words that the President spoke on and how ridiculous it is that they are controversial. Personally, as a parent I sure hope my children work hard, take responsibility for their actions, and value education and I hope their teachers promote it. That is just me though. And of course the President seems to agree.

[SaraBellum]

Firstly- Both Reagan and Bush senior addressed students.

Reagan:

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=5064-1&showVid=true

Bush:

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=21790-1&showVid=true

You will note that my source is NOT FOX NEWS or MSNBC-- but rather C-SPAN.

Obama was not the first president to do this.

I am an educator- and my class did watch the speech in its entirety today. All 22 minutes.  I had read the transcript as had my principal prior to watching the speech. My class paid attention and took notes- they were to come up with a list of things they could do this year to do better in school and help each other.  I do not teach high school or middle school so my students are quite young. Today was not our first day of school- but this is something we could have watched the first day- it sets a tone. My students came up with a list of what they could do and decided on the most important things- set goals, never give up on yourself and do your best.  I think this is something all parents and teachers can agree they want their kids to do. There was no agenda- no mention of healthcare or anything else. It was an inspiring speech- my class now believes that if someone with brain cancer can go to college so can they- as the president said there are no excuses for failure. I guess this is a subversive message- something we must protect or children from cause heaven forbid they look up to the President of the United States as a role model.  I suppose there are much better role models out there for them- rappers, sports stars and reality stars right?  Cause I know we all want our kids to end up a cross between Michael Vick, Eminem and John and Kate........they are exposed to that all the time. But we must protect them from hearing what the president has to say? Are you kidding me??

[93soccerdad]

I am not an Obama fan at all...but his speech was right on the mark for our students.  Most people I spoke with were NEVER opposed to the President addressing the students...they were concerned about the various study guides and aides that the White House was providing to "help" teachers and students.  I was opposed to those as well.  I do not want ANY President to tell my kids what or how they need to learn...however, I do want my kids to hear inspiring messages on commitment, leadership, working hard and staying in school from our President (whether he be Obama, Bush, Clinton, etc.).  I am glad that the White House backed away from the study guide concept.  Good job, Mr. President, I hope you reached many with your message!

[breakaway]

I agree with bbdad on this one.

And ditto to you 93 soccerdad and SaraBellum.  You don't have to be an Obama fan to get to the heart of the REAL message.

[Crystal Ball]

It doesn't suprise me that some people don't agree with my opinion.  In fact I expect it.  What you need to keep in mind that:

First, it is a personal opinion of mine to keep politics/politicians out of schools. 

Second, that the initial controversy was brought to light when the speech was announced last week to schools, by passing the school boards.  It included lesson plans for the teachers.  Here are two links  http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/7-12.pdf

http://www.ed.gov/teachers/how/lessons/prek-6.pdf 

Third, after some of the publc complained about the speech, we don't know if there were any changes.

Fourth, this link is an article regarding H.W. Bush's speech.  You will see that not only conservatives complain about politicians addressing our kids.   http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/When-Bush-spoke-to-students-Democrats-investigated-held-hearings-57694347.html

Again, my complaint is that this was sent to our schools, including a lesson plan.  There wasn't to the best of my knowledge exactly what he would say, that in itself leaves room for controversy.  You may like what he had to say, it may be inspiring to the kids, who knows.  It was extremely long... alot of younger kids wouldn't be able to sit through it given their attention span.  I still think that it would have been a better idea to give this speach on National TV with parents watching.  After all, it is the parents responsibility to see to their childrens education and in my opinion, it is good that people cared enough to bring this, in it's original form to the publics attention.

[SaraBellum]

Keep politics out of our schools? Where did no child left behind come from? Or the state and national standards for that matter? Oh and one word- WASL. Not to mention the federal $ going to schools. Should the kids not study civics? No more trips to Olympia or DC? Should they not learn about the government and politics? Should they not view speeches?  YIKES>>>>> as for attention span..... my class loved the speech- many said it was like having the president in the classroom and my class is not even old enough to play u-11 soccer.  I don't think we give our kids enough credit. High expectations yields high achievement.

[basketballdad]

SaraBellum you are so right. The whole educational system is based around politics. Why does the federal government provide less than 10% of the money to local schools but has enormous influence over what is taught, standardized testing, etc. Even most local levies provide substantial more money to schools but can't buck the federal government. The Presidents speech was so far removed from politics compared to goes on every day in a school district that is amazing that people were worried at all. Thought it was standard knowledge but politics is pervasive in our educational system long before this speech was ever contemplated.

[HandBall]

Keep politics out of our schools? Where did no child left behind come from? Or the state and national standards for that matter? Oh and one word- WASL. Not to mention the federal $ going to schools. Should the kids not study civics? No more trips to Olympia or DC? Should they not learn about the government and politics? Should they not view speeches?  YIKES>>>>> as for attention span..... my class loved the speech- many said it was like having the president in the classroom and my class is not even old enough to play u-11 soccer.  I don't think we give our kids enough credit. High expectations yields high achievement.

You might want to distinguish between "politics" and "government involvement" in schools. Government establishing academic standards, rules for mainstreaming, etc., is quite different than ignoring unions and teachers who openly supported Obama over McCain last year, or vice-versa. My DK made it a regular report to me how one of her teachers praised Obama daily, with a long history of Bush-bashing. That is the "politics in schools" that should be excised. Mainstreaming the special needs child, or attempting to measure success of schools with standardized tests is an entirely different issue.

As for BBD's comment earlier on, "Nothing was changed as far as the speech was concerned", is either the most naive or disingenuous statement in this thread. Obama had a week to gauge the reaction to the Dept. of Education materials released, and they did include instructions to teachers that were very concerning, including urging to have students learn about Obama, his life, policies and goals. The question to be asked of children, "How can you help the president?" was especially concerning given its implied endorsement of Obama over his growing critics on Health Care and other policies. Given the timing of the speech, the day before his Address to Congress, another propaganda effort from the Marxist in Chief seemed apparent. It was only the outrage voiced after the instructions were released that clearly demonstrated an effort by the administration to rally our children behind the president, whether on specific issues or in general, that the speech was likely sanitized. It was a win-win for Obama, though, as he either got his Al Gore moment with children, or he would be able to discredit opposition with a sanitized speech.

Oh, the "Al Gore moment"? That would refer to Inauguration Day when thousands of children from across America were invited to DC to see the inauguration, and were privileged to hear a speech by Al Gore where he told the elementary and junior high school children to ignore their parents and decide on issues for themselves based on what they felt was right, and that parents are often wrong. He even cited an example from the Civil Rights era alleging that parents in the 60s didn't know racism was wrong. Yes, racism has been a weapon used by the left from the start of this last campaign cycle.

[basketballdad]

The idea that you can distinguish between government involvement in schools and politics might be the most naive thing I have read on here. The whole catastrophe that is "No Child Left Behind" was the federal government taking over a greater role of what the states and local districts should be doing. Their idea of accountability was nothing but politics and its implementation by states and localities has been nothing but politics. Some states like Texas when faced with not enough students passing their test just redid their test to make it easier. Other states renormed what was passing for their tests and by a miracle suddenly they were progressing and passing their AYP numbers. Even Washington was not immune. The WASL writing test was redone in the early 2000's and when students could not pass the WASL math by a large enough majority and thousands were in danger of not graduating, what did they do? Thats right they changed the law that said you did not have to pass the math WASL to graduate and got rid of the test.
Government involvement in education and no politics does not exist and never has.

As to the speech. So far no a single person on here, where I work, or in my neighborhood can point to one item in President Obama's speech that is controversial or not something we all want to have for our children. I have already posted on various threads that I too had some issues with the educational materials and the timing of the speech. However, the message in the speech was something I say, in one form or another, every day in my classroom.

Finally as to teachers attempting to sway students to a particular political candidate I too have an issue with that. However, when demonstrating on how to think for youself I give my two stock speeches to the class as an exercise in persuasion and propaganda. This is for a government class. The first one is how President Bush was a great president. I am so good at it now I scare myself. The conservative students are very happy. Then I give a different one on Clinton and now substitute Obama. The more liberal students are happy.  Both are the same length and I give both with passion. After I am done we read the text of each to show the various ways that a speaker can attempt to persuade and manipulate the audience and how many statements I make are not factually accurate. (they are the same for both) The students, unlike many adults, begin to realize they must check statements, think for themselves, and never to accept things blindly. A teacher who actually promotes a candidate over another in reality is doing a disservice to his or her students and I think it exists but is rare. 

Ok fatigue has set in and I have two more basketball games to get ready for. Until the next time.

[goldengoal]

The idea that you can distinguish between government involvement in schools and politics might be the most naive thing I have read on here. The whole catastrophe that is "No Child Left Behind" was the federal government taking over a greater role of what the states and local districts should be doing. Their idea of accountability was nothing but politics and its implementation by states and localities has been nothing but politics. Some states like Texas when faced with not enough students passing their test just redid their test to make it easier. Other states renormed what was passing for their tests and by a miracle suddenly they were progressing and passing their AYP numbers. Even Washington was not immune. The WASL writing test was redone in the early 2000's and when students could not pass the WASL math by a large enough majority and thousands were in danger of not graduating, what did they do? Thats right they changed the law that said you did not have to pass the math WASL to graduate and got rid of the test.
Government involvement in education and no politics does not exist and never has.
 

Did not want to jump in, but I wondered how this is the same as the President promoting his ideas in school or trying to sell his agenda through our children?

In your example what would be important to me is not whether you passed the test or not, what would matter would be the contents of the test or what our kids are studying in order to pass the test.

In Obama's speech case the material that was passed out to schools contradicted what he spoke about or was not even close to what was in those materials (at least that is what I hear) and it sounds like you agree. When was the last time you passed out material to your students about a lesson you are going to give and what you talked about in class had nothing to do with the material you passed out?