President Obama in Madison, Wisc.

President Barack Obama cited daughter Malia's science test scores during a speech today to make a point. (Andy Manis / AP Photo)

By Frank James

President Barack Obama strayed from his text today to tell a story that we hope he cleared with his daughter Malia beforehand.

Speaking at a middle school in Madison, Wisc. Wednesday to plug his "Race to the Top" initiative first announced in July, he told the audience and the world that his 6th grader got a 73 on a science test.

If he didn't get her approval beforehand, we can just imagine her 12-year old response when she finds out. "Oh, great Dad. So you told everyone I'm an idiot?"

Actually, the story ended with her acing a later test. Obama's point was about the importance of kids adopting goals for high achievement as their own as Malia did. So all's well that ends well.

Here's an excerpt from his speech:

These aren't in my prepared remarks, but I think it's important to note that Malia and Sasha are just wonderful kids, and Michelle is a wonderful mother. But in our own household, with all the privileges and opportunities that we have, there are times -- look, there are times when kids slack off. There are times where they would rather be watching TV or playing a computer game than hitting the books. And part of our job as parents -- Michelle and my job -- is not just to tell our kids what to do, but to start instilling in them a sense that they want to do it for themselves.
So Malia came home the other day. She had gotten a 73 on her science test. Now, she's a 6th grader. There was a time a couple years ago when she came home with like an 80-something and she said, "I did pretty well." And I said, "No, no, no. That's" -- I said, "Our goal is" -- "Our goal is 90 percent and up." (Applause.)
Here is the interesting thing. She started internalizing that. So she came and she was depressed, "I got a 73." And I said, "Well, what happened?" "Well, the teacher -- the study guide didn't match up with what was on the test."
"So what's your idea here?"
"Well, I'm going to start -- I've got to read the whole chapter. I'm going to change how I study, how I approach it."
So she came home yesterday, she was -- "I got a 95" -- right? -- so she's high-fiving. (Applause.)
But here's the point. She said -- she said, "I just like having knowledge." That's what she said. And what was happening was she had started wanting it more than us. Now, once you get to that point, our kids are on our [sic] way. But the only way they get to that point is if we're helping them get to that point.
So it's going to take that kind of effort from parents to set a high bar in the household. Don't just expect teachers to set a high bar. You've got to set a high bar in the household all across America. (Applause.)

categories: Obama Administration

5:04 - November 4, 2009

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