When the President speaks you better listen. Today, for 18 minutes, the President will address our school children in a motivational speech.  The main element of the speech is to instill in the students the need for them to work hard and accept responsibility for their education We have read the speech and concur with the President, the speech was direct and to the point. Coming from President Obama, who had major issues in his life, may be the lesson that those who have excuses needed to hear. He certainly did a good job pointing out to the students what needs to be done now, so that the future will be there for them. 
 
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/09/07/obama.school.speech.pdf, click on the URL to read the speech.

WE CONGRATULATE HIM ON A SPEECH WELL DONE. 
 
Please note the original lesson plan has been modified due to the outcry of the public concerned with certain aspects of it.  This is acceptable.

Arne Duncan, who we have always given high marks too, indicated that the original lesson plan was poorly worded and changed to satisfy many of its opponents.

Some of the controversy over Obama's speech involved a proposed lesson plan created by the Education Department to accompany the address. An initial version of the plan recommended that students draft letters to themselves discussing "what they can do to help the president."

The letters "would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals," the plan stated.

After pressure from conservatives, the White House distributed a revised version encouraging students to write letters about how they can "achieve their short-term and long-term education goals."

Bottom line, THE CONTROVERSY IS OVER.