District Position on President Obama's Speech
Posted: September 04, 2009
Dear Teachers and Administrators,
The controversy surrounding the President of the United States talking to America’s school children is just another sign of our challenging times. Like you, I am experiencing numerous emails and phone calls inquiring about our schools’ involvement in President Obama’s speech.
After considering input from patrons, direction from State Superintendent Tom Luna, feedback from our Board of Trustees and principals, and a review of Board Policy, the District rationale and position concerning the broadcast of the President’s speech in our classrooms is as follows:
Rationale:
Given the expressed concern surrounding the airing of this speech in our classrooms, it would seem prudent to allow teachers and administrators to first watch the speech and determine if it is age and message appropriate and related to the curriculum and/or learning objective of the classroom. Teachers should have the opportunity to integrate appropriate materials into their curriculum and show it to students at a time most fitting within the structure of the school day. Board Policy #602.81 states, “any such use of movies or videos other than short clips to enhance a teaching standard or lesson objective requires prior approval by the building principal”. We understand there are a wide variety of opinions on this matter; however, we need to be sure to follow District policy as currently outlined. Teachers and administrators can record and review the broadcast and should follow the proper course of audio-visual curricular material approval.
The White House has stated that President Obama’s narrative will be available for preview on their website Monday evening, September 7. Consequently, parents may wish to view the address and could use it as a teaching moment at home on delayed video stream or taped broadcast.
District Position:
On Tuesday, September 8, President Obama’s speech to school children will not be broadcast “live” within the Minidoka County School District. The event will be recorded and reviewed by each school’s faculty and administration to determine if it aligns with the District’s adopted curricular standards. On a side note, the District is limited with available bandwidth for video streaming in multiple classrooms simultaneously.
If deemed appropriate, teachers will have the option to integrate the recorded speech into the curriculum at a suitable time that meets their students’ educational needs. Parent notification will be sent home with students prior to any classroom use.
If parents receive notice of the viewing, they will have the ability to opt their students out of this activity and another educational alternative will be provided.
Feel free to contact me by telephone or email should you have further questions.
Respectfully,
Scott A. Rogers, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools
By: Dr. Scott A. Rogers, Superintendent, Minidoka County Schools