Obama Back-To-School Speech Held At Benjamin Banneker Academic High School

By Kimberly Hefling, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama told students Wednesday in a back-to-school address that they bear responsibility in helping America get back on its feet.

"You're young leaders. And whether we fall behind or race ahead as a nation is going to depend in large part on you," he said in an address to high school student at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School that was broadcast live on television and online.

He encouraged the students to get an education after high school. He said in tough economic times, the country needs their ideas and passion.

Obama also confessed that he wasn't always the best student and didn't love every class he took.

"And here's the thing: I still don't know all the answers," he said. "But if I'd have just tuned out because the class sounded boring, I might have missed out on something that not only did I turn out enjoying, but has ended up serving me in good stead for the rest of my life."

Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, a magnet school that opened in 1981, is designed to provide a rigorous academic background in preparation for college.

The White House released the text of the president's message the night before his speech to defuse any potential charges that he would be giving a political speech to the nation's schoolchildren. Two years ago, some conservatives accused Obama of bringing politics into the classroom with a similar back-to-school speech.

Last week, Obama announced his administration will allow states to apply for waivers around unpopular proficiency standards in the No Child Left Behind education law. To qualify, states must meet conditions such as setting evaluation standards for teachers and principals and imposing their own standards to prepare students for college and careers.

Comments

[DeanWormer]

03:19 PM on 09/29/2011

This was shown during the final period at my son's high school. They let any student who didn't want to hear it leave. Not many remained.

[guveqzero]

07:14 AM on 09/29/2011

Obama already placing the burden of his mess on the next generation. That is what happens when you compromise your principles.

[nappyman]

09:23 PM on 09/28/2011

Can't wait till president Christie gives his back to school talk. It will consist of 'screw you teachers' and 'hey, just send your kids to private school'.

[larmarch5]

06:31 PM on 09/28/2011

Isn't it time the GOTP just nominates Frank Luntz and Grover Norquist? They could save themselves a lot of money.

[smiththomas]

05:57 PM on 09/28/2011

School vouchers please. Many schools using tech to make education we can afford.

[larmarch5]

05:35 PM on 09/28/2011

Hey Conservative: What do you think of what CC had to say about the tea partiers? How about Perry calling them heartless? How about Mitt telling them that Corporations are not only PEOPLE, they are his FRIENDS and that he's proud of his Obamney Care with its personal mandate to be insured? How about Jon Huntsmann's comments about people who don't accept evolution and science? How about Newt saying he cheated on his wives because he loves America so much? Ron Paul, Gary Johnson, and Fred Karger favor marriage equality and legalizing drugs. OK, that leaves Michelle Bachmann and Cotter McWhatever. Good luck at your convention next year.

[smiththomas]

05:56 PM on 09/28/2011

Anybody but Obama

[larmarch5]

06:29 PM on 09/28/2011

Do you realize how utterly pathetic that sounds? So which will be propped up on stage at the convention? A big paper doll cut-out? A life-sized Ken doll? A balloon from the Macy's parade? An inflatable doll? Orley Taitz? Rush Limbough? Why don't you just nominate Frank Lutz? He does all the talking points for you. The thing is: A candidate that actually runs on GOTP policies cannot be elected President of the United States.

[larmarch5]

05:25 PM on 09/28/2011

This always brings out the howlers that think anything beyond "My Pet Goat" is brainwashing children. They do NOT want anyone who doesn't look, believe, and think like themselves to be held up as a leader for our children to see and hear.

[bahkey]

05:09 PM on 09/28/2011

There's a reason why Our President goes to high school students. It's because anything he talks about to the repub/bagger are WAY above their comprehension.

[patriotconserv]

04:30 PM on 09/28/2011

You slyme baggers need to do your own thinking. Its not hard.

[Izzymeister]

05:00 PM on 09/28/2011

Yeah, eff educations. Public schools are for nerds.

[ecyornagol]

05:00 PM on 09/28/2011

I flag all use of "baggers". Unacceptable name calling is prohibited by HP guidelines.

[Izzymeister]

05:04 PM on 09/28/2011

It's an affectionate term for the dirt bags that wear tea bags on the brim of their hats.

[TXLiberAL7]

05:13 PM on 09/28/2011

censoring because you do not like a term is another thing altogether...I would like to censor all the name calling about the President on here too..but we have a thing called freedom of speech....

[Duppy]

04:21 PM on 09/28/2011

Obama did the same thing in 2009 a few months after he was elected. The GOP t-bags called it brain washing and refused to let their kids listen to Obama. No other president has ever had to endure the kinds of disrespect and down right distasteful rhetoric that Obama has had to go through over the last 3 years.

[Chloe33]

04:26 PM on 09/28/2011

Oh, pooooooooooooor obama. Pass the Kleenex.

[traceymarie]

04:28 PM on 09/28/2011

so you admit to your bigotry

[bahkey]

04:48 PM on 09/28/2011

You use white only from georgia -pacific =Koch Sniffer

[obamathegreat235]

04:28 PM on 09/28/2011

In my belief, President Obama is getting all the support he needs because I further believe God knows what is best and I also believe God loves President Obama; just like President Obama loves his country that he leads superbly.

[iamwomanofcolor]

04:51 PM on 09/28/2011

and you stated this comment Superbly!!! fanned and faved!!!!

[Izzymeister]

04:07 PM on 09/28/2011

It looks like all the short buses have brought their passengers home.

Hi Baggers !! Want a cookie?

[bahkey]

04:50 PM on 09/28/2011

As long as there's no "chocolate chips" in them ,a big white conservative no-no.

[Izzymeister]

04:58 PM on 09/28/2011

Baggers love cookies with lots of nuts.

[larmarch5]

05:27 PM on 09/28/2011

And they want them made with Crisco!

[ecyornagol]

05:04 PM on 09/28/2011

I flag all use of "baggers" since it is in violation of HP guidelines.

[Izzymeister]

05:07 PM on 09/28/2011

abusive flagging is punishable.

[MOTurkeyLeg]

04:04 PM on 09/28/2011

Why doesn't he address the fact that he has been a failure at bringing jobs? When these kids get out of school, there won't be any jobs to be had! Thanks Mr. President!

[Izzymeister]

04:08 PM on 09/28/2011

College Grads have the lowest unemployment zipperhead.

[Miss Peaches]

04:43 PM on 09/28/2011

Or why didn't he tell them that the Republican congress wants to cut Federal Aid to college students who aren't from the top income earnering families. Why didn't he tell them that the Republicans don't want working class and poor students to get educated so they continue to make education just out of their reach. Yet, you can help the bankers by taking out $100K in loans to get through school.

[Chloe33]

03:53 PM on 09/28/2011

His favorite pandering audiences ---- Liberal Universities, unions, and now high school. Sounds like Spinal Tap --------"Puppet show and obama"

[traceymarie]

03:58 PM on 09/28/2011

that's okay bag...we will leave the trailor parks and dumps to you.

[larmarch5]

05:28 PM on 09/28/2011

Sounds like he goes where the normal people are. What did you think of what CC said about the teapers?

[Trojan Mouse]

03:50 PM on 09/28/2011

Here are a few answers Mr President. Please feel free to use them as they will fit on your teleprompter.
No one has ever gotten rich because they paid taxes.
For every one tax dollar the government collects, it will spend 1.34. Higher taxes insure higher deficits.
There is no such thing as a loophole. There are only tax laws.
Once these sink in I will send you a few more.

[patriotconserv]

04:03 PM on 09/28/2011

Sol//ynd//dra is why most tax payers in all brackets do not want to give more of their hard earned money to the government. It is a bad investment.

[traceymarie]

04:12 PM on 09/28/2011

are you going to build your own roads, bridges, schools and hire your own police force

[Izzymeister]

04:14 PM on 09/28/2011

Saving GM saved 1 million jobs nationwide.

[paganmob]

05:20 PM on 09/28/2011

BUT Cheney is ALIVE today because of tax dollars spent in research - his heart valve - THAT musta created some jobs - and CHENEYS tax dollars helped him live to make more $- oh yeah ...internet created WITH tax dollars made MANY rich - sorry - you lose

[Trojan Mouse]

07:24 PM on 09/28/2011

The heart valve was created by Dr. Charles A. Hufnagel in the early 1950's. he used his own capital to fund the research. When someone uses capital, that means investment money, not Washington DC. Why don't you buy a clue, or just beg for one.

[jwoww]

03:48 PM on 09/28/2011

I wonder if the kids were singing his song

Elementary School Students Taught Pro-Obama Songs - Political ...www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-5335819-503544.htmlCached - Similar - Add to iGoogle
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
Sep 24, 2009 – In the video at left, students at New Jersey's B. Bernice Young Elementary School are shown singing about the president, in one case to the ...

[traceymarie]

03:59 PM on 09/28/2011

OMG...children being excited and proud of their President...what is the world coming to. lmao

[patriotconserv]

04:09 PM on 09/28/2011

Na//zi youths sang songs about their leader also.

[bahkey]

04:57 PM on 09/28/2011

Better than dueling banjo's at a bagger rally. So baggers tell all your kids, don't get a good education because we know everything there is to know. And we only went to the 5th. gradand we don't like elitist.