Text of Obama's school speech is released

The as-prepared version of President Obama's talk to the nation's schoolkids has been released by the White House. ABC News has it here.

Compare to the text of the TV talk that President George H.W. Bush gave the country's schoolkids in 1991. That transcript is here.

What strikes me is how similar they are: stay in school study hard, do your homework and prevail against difficulties and obstacles. That's pretty much it. I would say that Obama's talk emphasizes a lot more how tough kids have it these days, and how much is working against them outside the classroom. Bush talked about that too, but his emphasis was different. Obama's speech sympathizes with tough personal circumstances. Bush's exhorts overcoming bad influences. But the basic tone is very similar.

However,  fault both presidents for encouraging education for mere extrinsic reasons: get a better job, contribute to society, etc. That's all well and good, but what about the intrinsic rewards of learning? Not mentioned.

Update: Conor Friedersdorf at The Daily Beast says that presidents, regardless of party, need to stay out of the classroom lest they become too popish: "I object to the automatic elevation of presidents generally to the role of 'trusted moral leader.'"