President Obama's Speech to Students

SDEA President Sees President’s Speech to Students as an Opportunity to Keep Kids in School
Encouraged by Parent Interest in the Speech

Pierre, SD – The President of the South Dakota Education Association (SDEA) is urging parents and school districts to see next Tuesday’s speech by President Barack Obama as an opportunity to encourage all students to do their best in school. SDEA President Sandy Arseneault says the proposed speech and suggested lesson plans are simply about keeping kids motivated and keeping kids in school.
“We have an unacceptable dropout rate in our nation. The education community is working to find ways to innovate and change the system to reach those students who are falling through the cracks,” says Arseneault. “SDEA welcomes the message to students about taking responsibility for their education and the suggested lesson plans that will give students the opportunity to reflect on what they want to accomplish during this school year and beyond.”
Arseneault also sees the media attention generated by President Obama’s speech to students as an opportunity for parents to take a more active role in their children’s education. She hopes parents continue to be as involved in every aspect of that education.
“It is encouraging to see that parents are interested in what their kids are doing in school. Whether or not students watch the speech in class, I hope parents take the time to sit down with their children and watch it on-line after Tuesday,” says Arseneault. “Parents are the key to reinforcing the message that our youth must stay in school and take responsibility for their education.”
Arseneault emphasizes that viewing the speech and using the lesson plans are optional for teachers. She believes this event is simply a resource teachers should be allowed to use to motivate their students for the upcoming school year. SDEA encourages parents who have questions about next Tuesday’s activities to visit the event’s website at www.ed.gov/iamwhatilearn.