We have reviewed the text and delivery of President Obama’s speech and have found a high level of correlation between the content of the speech and the established learning objectives in our district curriculum.  Furthermore, we have found there to be no “political innuendo” that was of concern to some parents and community members.  Teachers can now, using the MBSD Occasional Use Materials Process, move forward in incorporating the speech into lesson planning.  It will be important for teachers to make sure their principal is aware of their plans to use the speech so that any remaining parent concerns can be accommodated.

Examples of goal setting lesson objectives for Washington State and MBSD include (but are not limited to):

• Connection with PRIDE 101 and Navigation 101 Themes:  Setting Goals, Improving Academically, Planning for Future

• Washington State Essential Learning Requirement (EALR) 4 in each core academic area:  The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve academically.

• Learning goals in literacy (reading, writing and communications) that focus the writing process for planning, drafting, editing, revising and presenting information. 

• Learning goals in math and science that highlight making connections to real world examples and applications of learning. 

Classroom activities using the President’s speech might address (but, of course, are not limited to):

• Goal setting lesson in PRIDE 101 or academic class, looking at class expectations and current and desired performance levels. 

• Working through the writing process to articulate individual learning goals; culminating in an essay, poster, or presentation to peers or families.

Note:  On Friday, September 4, the Mount Baker School District issued a statement on how the President's speech would be handled within the district.  Here is a copy of that statement.

Note:  The text of President Obama’s speech was released prior to the actual event and is available at the following site:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/  It is recommend parents and interested community members review the speech before calling school or district administrators.