President Obama finally delivered his back-to-school speech yesterday to students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. I say “finally” because the talk had been dogged by controversy. Originally, the Department of Education had posted lesson plans suggesting that class time be spent on activities that promoted White House policies. That was dropped.
Also absent from yesterday’s speech was any reference to the teaching of so-called “21st century skills,” a phrase that has appeared in most of the President’s previous education talks. Instead he called on students to embrace 19th century skills that Diane Ravitch wrote about on our blog, including responsibility and hard work. The President said, “… at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.”
He called on each student to set personal educational goals for this school year, reminding students that it can be something simple like doing their homework, listening in class, or reading regularly on their own time. He also challenged students to commit to their goal and work hard to achieve it.
He encouraged students to ask questions, stay focused, and never give up on themselves and explained that “the story of America isn’t about people who quit when things got tough.” President Obama pointed to historical and current events as examples:
It’s the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and found this nation. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google, Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
Common Core supports the President’s message to students; it is an important one… work hard and stay in school. We also believe the history provides important, valuable lessons for students, not to mention ample opportunities to think critically.
Unfortunately, this week, as most students across the country officially begin a new school year, it is likely that even fewer of them will receive a well-rounded, content-rich education. Year after year, we’ve heard stories from teachers about curriculum narrowing, especially in the social studies subject areas.
How many students actually knew what they President was alluding to when he mentioned that revolution, the Depression, and civil rights?
Lynne Munson and Laura Bornfreund