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Obama's triumph inspires black US students to succeed
Paul Thompson in Miami10.06.09
Education chiefs in the US have hailed what they call the "Obama effect" in helping to raise standards in schools.
Researchers have found that black children achieved higher scores in tests when reminded about the success of the country's first black president.
In the months after Barack Obama began dominating the US political scene officials noticed a sharp rise in SAT test scores for black children, significantly reducing the "achievement gap" between black and white children.
In a study conducted during last year's election, Dr Ray Friedman of Vanderbilt University found that black students achieved higher scores on standardised tests if they were reminded of Mr Obama's achievements before the test.
Dr Friedman said the students who earned higher scores probably overcame "stereotype threat" - a fear that their performance will confirm existing negative stereotypes.
"When Obama broke through the barrier in such an important way, it helped black test takers achieve their full potential," Dr Friedman said. "The question is: will that effect persist?"
Tests were held before the Democratic convention, after Mr Obama's nomination acceptance speech, midway between the speech and the presidential election and after his victory.
In the first test, the median score for whites was 12.14 while for blacks it was 8.79.
After Mr Obama won the presidency, whites scored 11.9 and blacks 9.83. In New York, President Obama's special envoy issued a plea for renewed international dialogue with North Korea and ruled out any military action against the communist country.
A new UN resolution hardening sanctions on North Korea in the wake of a recent nuclear test is expected within days.
Stephen Bosworth, the special envoy on North Korea, said: "The North Korean claim to be responding to a 'threat' or a 'hostile policy' by the US is simply groundless. We have no intention to invade North Korea or change its regime through force, and this has been made clear repeatedly.
"There is no doubt in my mind that negotiation and dialogue are the best means to achieve the goal of complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula."
Reader views (3)
Ali Sichilongo, London- I hope you reread your comment and reconsider making such sweeping statements. *Newsflash*- people are allowed to have an opinion on public figures, but you made a sweeping comment on someone you have no knowledge of....
- Larry, london
Dave Davies (Basingstoke) Very much like yourself then? Except - I very much doubt you've ever inspired a thing in your life!
- Ali Sichilongo, London
Inspires? To talk and talk yet say nothing?
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
