Melody Barnes, Director of Domestic Policy Council, and Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for Education Policy, held a conference call with reporters on President Obama’s trip to Wisconsin Wednesday.

Barnes praised Wisconsin for moving aggressively on education reform modeled after a California plan. She says Mr. Obama will talk about the importance of innovation and excellence as part of his education reform plan. Wisconsin lawmakers are working on a package of legislation designed to make sure the state qualifies for federal “Race to the Top” stimulus money, but the legislative session is due to end Thursday so it is crunch time.

The $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” program provides money to encourage states to increase academic standards, find better ways to recruit and keep quality teachers, track student performance and have a plan to turn around failing schools.

Barnes notes the application process for “Race to the Top” starts in a couple of weeks.

Barnes says the President is going to Wisconsin because of the education reform work going on there. He wanted to speak at a school with a diverse student population, and where there is positive achievement growth and this school has both. Rodriguez says Wright Middle School has been recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Education, and is known for its strong core curriculum and for its well-rounded curriculum in terms of offering enrichment programs such as arts and music.

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President Obama surprised third and fourth graders at a Maryland school Monday with a lunch time cafeteria visit to laud their hard work and talk about reading.

Watch the video to find out which childhood book the President considers his favorite and what movie he saw yesterday.

Students at Viers Mill Elementary School were excited to greet the Commander in Chief - one little girl was heard saying, "this is the best day of my life – in school.”

The White House says the school was chosen for the visit because it  is the first Title I school in Montgomery County, Maryland to win the National Blue Ribbon for significantly closing the achievement gap among its students.  The school won this award in 2005.

President Obama heads to Arlington, Virginia, later this morning where he will address students on the start of the new school year and will focus on the need for students to stay in school, study hard and take responsibility for their own achievement.    

President Obama's speech to school kids today won't be the first. The first President Bush talked to kids at a Washington junior high school in November of 1991. His address was carried into classrooms from coast to coast by CSPAN and CNN. President Reagan also delivered an address to school kids in 1988.

Watch the remarks LIVE here and on Fox News Channel at noon!

President Obama's Public Schedule:

10:45AM The President and Secretary Duncan hold a discussion with 9th Graders

Wakefield High School

12:00PM TThe President delivers remarks at a Back to School Event

Wakefield High School

2:00PM The President and Vice President attend an investiture ceremony in honor of Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor

Supreme Court

2:45PM The Presidentand Vice President meet with Senator Reid AND Speaker Pelosi

Oval Office

3:50PM The President and Vice President meet with the Professional Golfers Association Champions of America.

Oval Office