Is There an 'Obama Effect' on Standardized Test Scores?

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That we would forget all of the other authentic black-american leaders and figureheads in our society now to cast praise upon a man who did nothing to aid black americans? What of Jesse Jackson and the NAACP? Of John Coltrane and Miles Davis? W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington? There are plenty of black legislators, judiciaries and executives in the lime light all of the time, but this article chooses to praise one man, as though all of the others were nothing. That's pretty low.

Fox Lonestar of TX 8:58PM May 03, 2009

rod. b. is polish.

i miss rod of IL 10:48PM February 06, 2009

This is so typical of the american people, everything is race, skin color. Obama was raised by white grandparents, his mother was white, she had a great influence on his upbringing, his father was an african man from Africa, not american,with a completely different view of academic life, different culture, how can this study be relevant. This is a joke. Obama was not some project kid that makes it in this world. His mother was doctor in anthropoly. You people need to stop this masquerade. It's disguting.

Nicole lisitza of TX 10:07AM February 04, 2009

My mother always said: if you have nothing useful to say...

Ken Laughlin of DC 3:01PM January 27, 2009

Remember that correlation does not imply causation. This is just another example of the Obama messiah complex of the media and the masses.
Where is the relationship between this study and gender studies? Did they do the same test regarding gender in case Hillary got the nod? Somehow, a female has never been president, and girls are now better test-takers (or at least receive better grades) than boys.
Also, this study can be correlated an infinite amount of times:
European-American rappers are better because they are inspired by Eminem. African-American golfers are better because they are inspired by Tiger Woods. Nerds are better because they are inspired by Bill Gates. Rockers are better because they are inspired by the Beatles. Baseball players are better because they are inspired by, say Babe Ruth. Homosexuals are better because of Milk. Etc, etc, etc. Ad nauseum. We all fit into some defined category where we are inspired by someone. Some people choose to define themselves by race, some by gender, etc. Whatever way it can benefit us. This all still contributes to the US becoming a nation of separatists, branching out for differences and exclusivity, until our chosen representative holds the power. Then, and only then, we strive for unity.

Jay of IL 1:11PM January 27, 2009

No matter what race or nationality you are you have the opportunity to achieve. A person has to apply him/herself. Help can be obtained in how to study, etc. to prepare yourself.

Nell Parker of UT 12:08PM January 27, 2009

Since Barack became president I am able to lift twice the weight than I did before and I can run three times the distance. Is true that!
Pffffff..........

Yo Yo of FL 12:00PM January 27, 2009

This report is a joke, isn't it? More leftist propaganda. It is laughable.

L.D. Silver of TX 9:58AM January 27, 2009

I believe the results of this study because of first-hand experience. As a Serb, my role model is Rod Blagojevich. Prior to him becoming a prominent figure, I could barely tie my shoes. Now that he's come to the forefront, I'm on the verge of a stunning breakthrough in cold fusion via experiments in my basement laboratory. I owe it all to Rod (and my spandex lab coat).

Rod Jr. of IL 9:28AM January 27, 2009

The information given by this report is not enough to make an assessment that the study is bogus. Reports like this should provide more information, including the journals in which these studies are published, so that interested readers can verify facts that will enable them make fair assessments of the information presented.
That said, I do think the information as presented does raise an issue. If there truly was an "Obama Effect", it was at best an indirect one. We can then ask: what was the more direct effect and what bearing does that have on academic achievement? One hypothesis is that the level of self-worth of these students increased as they identified with Obama's accomplishments and this translated into better performance. I know a lot of children who do better in school whenever they receive a "Yes, you can" message (whatever the source). So, we need to find ways to constantly make kids see that they count, and we will see them do better. It is not the only solution, but it certainly will go a long way.

of MA 4:17AM January 27, 2009