The Village Square

DALLAS — School districts across Texas are pondering whether they'll have their students watch a national address by President Barack Obama next week.

The speech on the importance of education is aimed directly at the nation's school children at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

In the Wylie school district in suburban Dallas, spokeswoman Susan Dacus says officials are leaving the decision to individual teachers. She says parents who don't want their children to see it can opt out. In Houston, each school will decide.

In a letter last week to the nation's school principal, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said the speech would challenge students to work hard, set educational goals and take responsibility for their learning.

The speech will be streamed live on the White House Web site.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6599173.html