The Virginia Department of Education issued advice to public school systems planning to air a nationally televised speech by President Obama scheduled for Tuesday: Be prepared to make accommodations for students whose parents may object to their children watching.

A notice on the Roanoke County Public Schools Web site states parents need to notify their child's school if they do not want the child to participate. School spokesman Chuck Lionberger said the division had not received complaints from parents.

The scheduled speech stirred controversy Wednesday in Florida, where state Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer objected to the president's plan, saying Obama's real motive is indoctrinating students to his socialist agenda.

A news release from the party included this quote from Greer: "I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology ... I do not support using our children as tools to spread liberal propaganda."

The intent of Obama's speech is to "challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning," according to a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan posted on the department's Web site. It also said Tuesday will be the first time a U.S. president has directly addressed schoolchildren about the importance of education.

School officials in Bedford County, Botetourt County, Radford and Salem said decisions to show the speech will be made at the school level, which the Virginia Department of Education also advised.

Jeff Smith of Radford's Dalton Intermediate School said he expects the speech will be positive motivation for the beginning of the school year and not a political message.

"We tell them all the time about [the importance of education]," Smith said. "But if they hear it from someone of that stature, it's going to mean more. They look up to [Obama]."

Staff writer Anna L. Mallory and The Associated Press contributed to this report.