The “Obama Effect” sounds good in theory, but it’s going to take a lot more than inspiration to close the achievement gap, says Richard Whitmire. Writing on U.S. News’ blog, the edublogger and president of the National Education Writers Association notes that he’d like nothing more than to jump on the Obama Effect bandwagon.
But as a veteran education reporter who spends a lot of time in classrooms, I see events that indicate the Obama education halo could tarnish early. And if that happens, the letdown will be a lot less fun than the buildup. Inspiration is great, but inspiration needs pathways to success. What I see developing for lower income and minority students are pathways closing up.
Whitmire lists some of the factors needed to make the Obama Effect more than a short-term, feel-good story: enhanced college access, dramatically improved high schools, higher teacher quality and way higher literacy rates. “I want to apologize for being the picnic skunk. Really, I want to believe,” Whitmire concludes. “In the real world, inspirations need well-lit pathways. And I’m just not seeing those pathways opening up for the Obama effect children. I wish I saw this differently, really I do.”
No apologies needed, Richard. If it sounds too good to be true…
President Obama has been in office exactly ten days. The party skunk appears a bit premature to be discharging such an offensive spray this early into the new president’s first term.
American voters gave Bush 43 eighth years. I’m willing to give the new president at least a one year honeymoon before I decide to pass judgment on him.
The path to higher achievement – for all kids, even those now doing well – is a better foundation, starting in kindgergarten. That means strong phonics, math skills (including facts) and a content-rich curriculum. To me, it also means disciplined, teacher-centered classrooms. High school is too late to make up for 9 weak or wasted years. Transmission of knowledge used to be a major part, if not THE major part, of a teacher’s job and I think all kids (especially those at the lower end who get less at home) would benefit from a renewed commitment to that approach. It’s impossible to build a good house without a strong foundation and I don’t understand why anyone thinks it would work for education.