President Barack Obama at Wright Middle School
Education Reform: Race to the Top

On November 4, 2009, President Barack Obama visited Madison's Wright Middle School and delivered
his speech on Education Reform. After a welcome remarks by Principal Nancy Evans and three students
who performed onstage (leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem), Wis. Gov.
James Doyle thanked the President for his visit and reminded attendees that one year ago today, Obama
was elected President of the United States, a historical moment that Wisconsin's voters had hoped to
happen and did happen.
President Obama in his speech challenged his audience -- government officials & politicians,
principals, teachers, parents and students -- to focus on sharing the same goal: that of raising the bar to
provide and achieve high quality education and be accountable for it. He also discussed the "Race to the
Top" competition that his administration is initiating, in evaluating which states will get federal dollars for
their education-related efforts.
Below are our video clips of this historic event in our neighborhood.-- Heidi M. Pascual