Dr. Friedman and his associates put together a brief quiz of twenty questions from the Graduate Record Exam and administered the quiz to a group of students over the course of the 2008 presidential campaign. The results of the study ["The 'Obama Effect': How a Salient Role Model Reduces Race-Based Performance Differences," Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (forthcoming), January 2009] display an interesting phenomena, the impact of which may change the face of the educational system. Looking at the cause behind the achievement gap and the effect that President Obama had upon this selection of students should lead educators to look long and hard at how to extend the Obama effect to every student.
The Obama Effect Educational Study
The study that Dr. Friedman and his associates performed showed the well known and documented achievement gap between white and African American students as the Presidential campaign began. After President Obama's acceptance speech, the test results amazingly showed no statistical difference between the the test-takers, essentially eliminating the achievement gap. The change has been termed the Obama effect.
The Cause Behind the Achievement Gap
While this study has not yet been repeated and it has yet to be seen whether this Obama effect will have a long term impact, the implications are vast. In essence, African American students perform better simply by having an African American role model demonstrating the importance of a good education. While there has been some evidence of racial anxiety as a cause for lower test scores among African Americans, a bigger question is the importance of great role models for all children.
Extending the Obama Effect to Every Student
It is important that teachers, parents, politicians and all those who are responsible for raising the next generation of children understand how to extend the Obama effect past African American students and reach every student in the public school system. While race and expectations are huge impacting factors for achievement, well educated role models may be a better solution to the achievement gap than basic educational goals.
Every adult should make it a priority to be the best role model possible for today's students. Students need to expect to do well and understand the importance of a good education. The study showing the Obama effect is only the beginning of the necessary changes in the educational system.
Read more about the Obama Effect.
You may also be interested in learning more about closing the achievement gap, and the plans that President Obama has for the Public school system.
Resources:
Dillon, Sam. Study Sees an Obama Effect as Lifting Black Test-Takers. New York Times: January 22, 2009.
Walker, Doug. The Obama Effect. NEA Today: May 2009
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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