HOUSTON -- Houston-area school districts have outlined how they plan to handle President Barack Obama's address to students next week, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.

President Obama plans to address students across the country next week, but some Houston-area parents do not want their children hearing his message.

The presidential address will take place on Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. Houston time. The Obama administration said it is the first time a president delivered a national address directly to school children. The president is expected to discuss the importance of education, working hard and setting goals.

But the planned address is drawing criticism from parents who do not want the president addressing their children without them present.

The Houston Independent School District told principals to inform parents if the president's speech will be shown to students. It's up to each teacher to decide whether to watch the speech and build a lesson plan around it. If parents choose to opt out, their child can attend a different learning activity while the speech is held.

The Cy-Fair School District and the Fort Bend School District will also leave the decision on whether to air the speech up to each campus or teacher. Parents will also have the option to not have their child take part.

The Pearland School District , the Pasadena School District and the Dickinson School District plan to record the speech and possibly air it at a different time in the day. Releases will be sent to parents so they can opt out of the viewing.

The Katy and Lamar Consolidated school districts plan to record the speech and show it at a later date. Parents can also opt to have their child not watch the speech.

The Klein School District said its schools will be airing the presidential address live. Parents with concerns can have their child not take part.

The president's administration is also offering study materials to classrooms to supplement the viewing of his speech. They are described as supporting the importance of education.

Letter From Secretary Arne Duncan To School Principals

"Dear Principal:

"In a recent interview with student reporter, Damon Weaver, President Obama announced that on September 8 - the first day of school for many children across America - he will deliver a national address directly to students on the importance of education. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. He will also call for a shared responsibility and commitment on the part of students, parents and educators to ensure that every child in every school receives the best education possible so they can compete in the global economy for good jobs and live rewarding and productive lives as American citizens.

"Since taking office, the President has repeatedly focused on education, even as the country faces two wars, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and major challenges on issues like energy and health care. The President believes that education is a critical part of building a new foundation for the American economy. Educated people are more active civically and better informed on issues affecting their lives, their families and their futures.

"This is the first time an American president has spoken directly to the nation's school children about persisting and succeeding in school. We encourage you to use this historic moment to help your students get focused and begin the school year strong. I encourage you, your teachers, and students to join me in watching the President deliver this address on Tuesday, September 8, 2009. It will be broadcast live on the White House website www.whitehouse.gov 12:00 noon eastern standard time.

"In advance of this address, we would like to share the following resources: a menu of classroom activities for students in grades preK-6 and for students in grades 7-12. These are ideas developed by and for teachers to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. We are also staging a student video contest on education. Details of the video contest will be available on our website www.ed.gov in the coming weeks.

"On behalf of all Americans, I want to thank our educators who do society's most important work by preparing our children for work and for life. No other task is more critical to our economic future and our social progress. I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to continue improving the quality of public education we provide all of our children."

Additional Resources:

Media Resources for President Obama's School Address

Department of Education