A Link to the President's Speech

The President's Speech to American Students

President Obama's Speech

We have initiated random drug testing; changed admissions standards; dropped skirts from the dress code; and moved the school to the 4A level of athletic competition -- but none of those issues generated the parental response as a speech to school kids by the President of the United States.  In the last 72 hours I have about 50 emails on the subject.  When I get three emails on the same subject I think the sky is falling!

This forum provides the opportunity to explain a bit more in depth why the school chose the route it did.  I have no illusions that it will make everyone happy, but I hope it will clear some misconceptions.

While the text of the President's speech is not yet available, I have absolute faith that the message he will deliver on Tuesday will be non partisan and wholly appropriate.  Encouraging students to stay in school, work hard, and set high goals (tasks mastered by an overwhelming percentage of our students) is admirable.  President Obama, as the nation's 1st African-American President, is also uniquely positioned to influence groups of students who have not  embraced education as a way out of poverty.  The President has a responsibility to all America's people and the fact that he is choosing to address the nation's future, both literally and figuratively, is laudable.  Given his skills as a speaker, there is even a better chance that his message might have some impact.

Schools should be actively involved in civics education.  Whether public or private, schools have a responsibility to educate students about our history and government.  President Obama's speech is a teachable moment.  It provides teachers with a real world opportunity to see how the curriculum interfaces with actual events.  The controversy about the speech itself provides further grist for discussion. Good teachers ask challenging questions.  They make sure students are exposed to all the facets of controversial issues.  Schools are absolutely the place for these kinds of discussions; but that does not imply that these discussions aren't also important for the family dinner table, on the way home from practice or in the casual moments between parents and students.

Faith is not a subsidiary of the Republican Party.  There is no doubt that the demographic makeup of our parents leans more conservatively.  And where matters of faith and politics interact (e.g., abortion, same-sex marriage, creationism) there is also little doubt that the platform of the GOP is more aligned with Lutheran (LCMS) theology.  But there are no edicts from the church or from the administration at school dictating political stances.  To the best of my recollection, the rare conversations I have with school personnel about politics are generally with non-teachers on our staff.  Except on those places where politics and theology interface, the school takes no position, officially or unofficially, on political matters.

Tuesday is a unique day at Faith.  It is an unscheduled minimum day so we can say goodbye to our friend and colleague, Eva Cruz.  It means class time will be reduced significantly, with relatively short notice to teachers. It would be imprudent for me to make the decision about the use of class time for nearly 100 teachers who are charged with getting students through the curriculum. If I was still a U.S. History or American Government teacher, I'd make time for it.  But the decisions I would make as a teacher are not the same as I make as an administrator.  I have to see the big picture.

There's no damage here.  Anyone who wants to see the President's speech will have ample opportunity to do so.  It will be on the White House website.  I expect there will be more than one opportunity to see it on CSPAN. I'm pretty certain it will be posted to YouTube moments after he's finished.  If you're unhappy your student did not have the opportunity to see it at school, what a great time to watch it with them, to take advantage of a teachable moment at home.

Finally, this episode illustrates a huge problem in our country, one I have as a student of politics seen develop over the last two decades.  Here is one of the fifty emails I received:  What a shame!  So, some of the teachers have strong political views, too, and I am sure that is not a factor------------Or his race.  Think about it from a perspective which mirrors the demographics of the families who send students and it make sense that this behavior by teachers would be tolerated.  How are the students ever going to be exposed to countervailing political and racial views?  Isn't it a shame we cannot disagree about something without disparaging the character of those on the other side?  We need a return to a more civil discourse. Little gets accomplished when all that is heard are raised voices and name-calling. 

I hope everyone who took the time to write or call will also take the time to listen to the speech tomorrow.