In principle, I have no problem with any US President addressing K-12 students, but I wonder if Obama’s last education speech gives some people the willies about the next one:

Obama education speech in Ohio. Transcript.

Yesterday was a special day around my house. It was back-to- school day for my girls. We started a little bit late. Sasha started second grade and Malia began fifth grade. I know Malia was really embarrassed when I walked her to the classroom. (Laughter, applause.) She had her locker with a combination lock for the first time and she had gone early to practice, and here her daddy’s coming with her to class. but I went anyway because she is daddy’s girl and will remain daddy’s girl until she’s about 30. (Laughter, cheers, applause.)

So — you know, seeing them back at school was a reminder not only that another year had passed and that they’re growing up a little faster than I’d sometimes like. I was in Indiana and there was a woman there who raised her hand during a town hall meeting, said she was a fifth-grad teacher. So I said, well, you know, what — can you give me some tips? What’s going to happen in fifth grade? And she said, “Boys.” (Laughter.) And that wasn’t the answer I was looking for. (Laughter, chuckles.) So I explained that one of the benefits of running for president is we have Secret Service around her at all times — (laughter, applause) — and they carry guns with them. (Laughs.) So it was also a reminder that they’re growing up a little faster than I’d like. But it was also a reminder of all the other parents who are dropping their children off at school and all the other kids who are getting ready for another year of classes.

You know, every four years, we hear candidates talk about the vital importance of education — about how improving our schools is key to our future and the future of our country. Every four years, we hear about how, this time, we’re going to make it an urgent national priority. Remember in the 2000 election, when George W. Bush promised to be — I quote — the “education president”? (Jeers.)

But just as with energy independence and health care, the urgency of upgrading public education for the 21st century has been talked to death in Washington, but not much has gotten done. And that failure to act has put our nation in jeopardy.

I believe the day of reckoning is here. (Cheers, applause.) Our — our children and our country can’t afford four more years of neglect and indifference. (Cheers, applause.) At this — at this defining moment in our history, America faces few more urgent challenges than preparing our children to compete in a global economy. The decisions our leaders make about education in the coming years will shape our future for generations to come. They will help determine not only whether our children have the chance to fulfill their God-given potential or whether our workers have the chance to build a better life for their families, but whether we as a nation will remain in the 21st century the kind of global economic leader that we were in the 20th century.