President Obama to Talk to Students Tuesday, White House Releases Text of Remarks

Schools and parents across the country are divided on whether students will hear a message from President Obama Tuesday.

President Obama plans to address students from a school in Arlington, Virginia at noon. The speech will be televised on C-SPAN.

Some have criticized the president's address, calling it politically motivated.

On Monday, the White House tried to put them at ease by releasing the text of the President's speech. (Read the text of the speech by clicking here.)

In the 18 minute speech, President Obama tells students, "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."

He also says, "...If you quit on school - you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country."

People still have mixed opinions even after the text of the speech became public.

Some conservatives say Obama is using the opportunity to promote a political agenda and have urged schools and parents to boycott the address.

We talked to people in Savannah about what they thought of the speech.

"Other presidents have spoken to kids on TV during the same type of thing, and I mean over the last 20 years, it's not unusual for a president to address these types of things. I just think it's a lot of brouhaha, and unfortunately I think the country is just getting really split," said Alex McDonald.

"I feel it's kind of inappropriate for him to be addressing kindergartners and stuff. It just seems kind of wrong to me. If it was more focused on like college-age kids and more adults, trying to progress their education, then that'd be more understandable," said Adrian Redding.

"They're painting it as some kind of an indoctrination into socialism, which it clearly isn't from reading the speech. All he's doing is encouraging students to do well in education," said Chuck Loeb.

The White House emphasizes the speech is not required viewing. Many schools have left the viewing decision up to the individual principals.

President Obama got support Monday from across the aisle. In a rare interview with CNN, former First Lady Laura Bush defended the speech to students.

"I think that there is a place for the president of the United States to talk to school children and encourage school children, and I think there are a lot of people that should do the same," said Bush.