Because of the concerns that many parents have regarding President Obama’s Sept. 8 speech in public schools, FMF is taking action in protecting the rights of parents and students. We’ve sent a national media release in order to speak out on the issue and defend anyone whose Constitutional rights are violated. In addition to the U.S. Constitution, there is also specific Texas law protecting the rights of parents to opt their children out of instruction or activities which they oppose.
Your rights as a parent:
· You may opt-out your child from such activities
· You may request that your child receive an excused absence
The school’s responsibility to you and your children:
· The school shall not penalize your children for being excused from an activity
· The school shall respect your decision as a parent
If you or someone you know has any difficulty in addressing these issues with your school district, please call our office at (972) 423-8889. We live in a great country. Our children are not “children of the state.” Parents have the ultimate responsibility and thus the authority to decide what is best for their children.
Click here for various Texas school district decisions/statements on this issue. https://txvalues.org/2009/09/03/obama-pulls-back-on-school-speech-activities-no-coverage-in-some-schools-many-opt-outs-for-presidents-speech/
Austin Area Update:
Austin American-Statesman
KXAN
Fort Worth Area Update
Houston Area
Dallas Area:
Dallas Morning News
From NBC-DFW:
Allen ISD: Speech will not be shown to grades kindergarten through third grade but will be used as part of the social studies/government curriculum for grades 4 through 12.
Arlington ISD: Making the speech available for students and parents on its Web site. The speech will also be available for classroom use as deemed appropriate to the district’s curriculum.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD: Social studies teachers will have the option of broadcasting the speech to their students.
Dallas ISD: Speech will be live on its cable channel. Principals will decide if they want to air it live.
Denton ISD: Speech will be available on its Web site for anyone to view, but will not be broadcast to students.
Duncanville ISD: Social studies teachers will have the option of broadcasting the speech to their students.
Fort Worth ISD: Speech available live at all of its high schools, but students will not be required to watch it. Students who choose not to view will have alternative activities.
Frisco ISD: District will record the speech, and teachers can choose to use it at a later time.
HEB ISD: Speech will be recorded as a podcast. It will be available to social students teachers who want to use it in class and to everyone on the district’s Web site.
Highland Park ISD: Any teacher can choose to broadcast it.
Keller ISD: Speech will be available live. Teachers can show it if they want to.
Lancaster ISD: District will record the speech, and teachers can choose to use it at a later time.
Mansfield ISD: Speech will be recorded, and teachers can use it at a later time.
Plano ISD: Speech will be available on its Web site for anyone to view, but will not be broadcast to students.
Richardson ISD: The speech will be available on Wednesday, the day after, and optional for grades kindergarten through 12. Parents will need to give permission for students in grades kindergarten through 8. No discussions or lessons will be offered afterward.
See previous posts for other Texas areas.
