Baltimore County Public Schools officials say they won’t likely be showing President Barack Obama’s national address to school students live next Tuesday, but it’s not because of protests from parents — it’s simply according to plan.

Kara Calder, a BCPS spokeswoman, said Friday the school system has instructed all teachers and principals to use the speech only if it furthers the curriculum of a particular class.

Calder said she is not aware of any schools that are using it live — in part because it’s not clear how the program would tie in specifically with any class’ education program.

BCPS will record the address on a central server that all schools can access, and teachers can review it and use it if they deem it appropriate, Calder said.

According to the White House press office, on Sept. 8, at noon, Obama will deliver a “national address directly to students on the importance of taking responsibility for their success in school.” The speech will be broadcast live on www.WhiteHouse.gov and C-SPAN.

The address has raised a controversy in some areas where parents have objected to having a political address in school. WBAL Radio reported Friday Howard County school officials had received 12-18 calls from parents regarding the speech.

Calder said BCPS has “received some calls in area offices” about the speech.

She said she could not speak to the exact nature of the calls or say how many, but her understanding was that many were from parents simply asking questions.

For parents with questions, Calder said parents can, “contact the school or contact the teacher and find out what the school’s plans are.”

She added that parents always have the option to withdraw students from lessons they are concerned about — she noted this is a common occurence with sex education classes.

“Parents always have the option to let us know how their children will participate, as long as it does not disrupt the teaching and learning process,” she said. “This isn’t at all new.”

Calder added that parents have the option to attend class.

“All of our schools welcome the participation of parents,” she said.

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user comments (1)

user baltimorecountywatch says...

Cop out.

Posted 9:57 PM, 09.07.09

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