MADISON, Wis. -- President Barack Obama used his stop at a Madison middle school on Wednesday to focus on the opportunity to make education reform under the federal Race to the Top program.

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He said it's time to make education reform America's national mission.

Obama spoke to about 600 students, parents, teachers, politicians and others at Madison's Wright Middle School.

He touted Race to the Top, which is a $4.5 billion grant program targeting innovative education reforms in states.

The president outlined what needs to happen to award the stimulus funds to schools across the country. Wisconsin is hoping to secure some of the federal funds.

"It's time to stop just talking about education reform and start actually doing it. It's time to make education America's national mission," Obama said.

Schools will have just a few weeks to apply for federal grants as part of the Race to the Top program.

"We're saying to states, 'If you're committed to real change in the way you educate your kids; if you're willing to hold yourselves more accountable; if you develop a strong plan to improve the quality of education in your state, we'll offer you a grant to help make that plan a reality,'" Obama said.

Wisconsin is already taking those efforts. The state Assembly and Senate will take up a series of bills Thursday to put the state in position to qualify and compete for the money.

The bills would tie teacher pay to performance and give superintendents more authority over schools, among other things. One major proposal, to give the mayor control of Milwaukee schools, is not up for a vote.

"Whether we receive this funding or not, these are the right steps to take for our kids in Wisconsin," said Gov. Jim Doyle.

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about the bills. Lawmakers have questions about whether federal funds will dry up, and unions have concerns about whether teachers could be disciplined or fired over test results.

State Sen. Mark Miller, D-Monona, the co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, sent a letter Tuesday to the secretary of education saying these bills could cost the state a lot of money and wanted to know more about the Race to the Top rules, and whether funding would continue years down the road.

"We have no idea what criteria there are for the grants, or if the grants are long-term and sustainable, to go into the future and make all kinds of improvements," Miller said.

The president said there needs to be agreement about reform.

"From the governor to the school superintendent to teachers, principals and, most importantly, parents and students, there is no excuse for mediocrity and we will take drastic steps when schools aren't working," Obama said.

Schools can now begin applying for Race to the Top, and applications will be due yet this month. Only 10 to 20 states in the country will be getting funding under the program, so it will be very competitive to secure the money.

On Wednesday, Obama also made the need for parent involvement personal, citing his own daughter's classroom challenges.

During his speech about his administration's education priorities, he talked about his sixth-grade daughter, Malia, and her study skills. He told those at Wright Middle School that Malia came home with a 73 percent on a science test and was disappointed.

The president said he asked her what went wrong. Malia explained that the test didn't match the study guide.

"So, what's your idea here?" Obama remembered telling her.

Malia told her father she had better start reading the whole chapters. Obama then shared happier news that came this week: Malia came home with high-fives and a 95 percent.

Students React To Obama's Visit

A group of about 40 students, parents and faculty got the chance to sit down and talk with Obama Wednesday. The president spoke with them for a short time just before his speech.

For the 250 students at Wright Middle School, the day began with lots of security measures. There were classes, but students said it was hard to concentrate as they anxiously awaited the president's arrival.

"It's been so exciting; we can't concentrate like on anything. I'm so excited for the president of the United States to be at our school!" said Alicia Michaels, a seventh-grader at Wright Middle School.

Many students wore special white and blue T-shirts, and when the motorcade pulled up to the school and the president walked onto the stage and into their lives, the mostly minority study body let a cheer.

Obama returned the warm greeting, and then encouraged the students to continue doing their best.

Students said the message got through and the memory will stick.

"I think it's something I'm always going to remember because not only is he the president of the United States but he's also the first black president. It's something you won't forget," Michaels said. "I just want to burst out because I'm so excited."

"I think that I'm going to stay in school, try to get a degree (and) find a nice job that I would love to keep and cherish the rest of my life," said Denae McClarn, an eighth-grader at Wright Middle School.

"When I grow up, I want to be successful, just like Obama. This will push me more because I had someone come and actually talk to me about what I need to do," said Jennifer Neblett, an eighth-grader at Wright Middle School.

Students at Wright said they not only had a deep respect for Obama but also for the privilege of meeting him.

"I thought I would never see him in my life, but when I found out he was coming here I was extra happy because it's like a once in lifetime chance to see him," said Terrell McFadden, an eighth-grader at Wright Middle School.

McFadden was one of the 40 students who got to meet privately with Obama.

Wright Middle School is named after Madison's civil rights leader, the late Rev. James C. Wright.

For 24 years, Wright was the head of Madison's Equal Opportunities Commission.

On Wednesday, his 79-year-old widow, Jacqueline Wright, and her two children had front-row seats at the event.

Jacqueline Wright, affectionately known as "Mother Wright," even had a few moments to speak to Obama.

"I thought to myself, 'Did this really happen or was it a dream?' It really happened," Wright said.

"It is the proudest moment of my life. It can only be trumped by -- nothing," said Wright's son, Coleman Wright.

Jacqueline Wright said that if her husband was alive today he would have been proud.

Students and others jumped through some big security hoops Wednesday for the presidential visit. The president touched down on Air Force One at 12:15 p.m. and his motorcade ventured from the interstate to the Beltline, completely closing off traffic on the westbound Beltline, and arrived at Wright Middle School around 1 p.m.

Lt. Dave McCaw, who's in charge of site security at Wright Middle School for the Madison Police Department, said the Madison Police Department had "absolutely" gone "above and beyond" what the Secret Service said they needed in terms of patrols and officers at key locations.

McCaw estimated that at least 100 officers were involved in the motorcade itself guarding access points like bridges.

He said police in the city were doing more than requested because, "Nothing's going to happen while he's here."

McCaw said sheriff's deputies and State Patrol and other units helped cover security.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.