Austin Independent School District: Viewing of the Web Address of President Barack Obama

Here it is:

September 3, 2009 - On September 8, 2009, the President of the United States plans to address students across the nation on the importance of education. The web address can be seen locally in Austin at 11 a.m. (CDT) on the White House website, www.whitehouse.gov/live, and broadcast live on C-Span.

The Austin School District believes such speeches by any sitting President are worthy of Americans’ time, attention, and consideration. Thus, teachers who believe that a viewing of the President’s remarks are in alignment with their classroom instruction — and offer age-appropriate and meaningful connections related to staying in school, learning, and enhancing opportunities for the future — will allow their students to take advantage of the opportunity afforded them through this address.

The District fully embraces the diversity of Austin, and that includes philosophical and political diversity. We believe that it is not the District’s prerogative to emphasize one group’s philosophy and/or values over another. Moreover, as an educational institution — one that is committed to the development of good citizenship in students — we feel it is our responsibility to offer young people the opportunities to listen to American presidents who have valuable messages for students.

It is AISD’s expectation that viewing of this web address will vary by campus and by classroom. Parents will be advised by their campus principals to alert the school if they have a specific desire to have their child included in, or removed from, the viewing of the President’s remarks.

Fair enough.

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