Malia Obama's very public science test
The other day, in a speech about his administration's education priorities, President Barack Obama revealed a very personal experience.
His daughter, Malia, had come home with a disappointing grade of 73 percent on a science test.
According to the president, the two had a conversation about what she could do better, and the moral of the story is that hard work pays off. Malia reportedly scored 95 percent on the next test.
I was driving to work when I heard this story on the radio, and I have to admit it sort of stopped me in my tracks. With all the talk about privacy for presidential kids, this struck me as a potentially very sensitive matter for Malia. What child wants the world to know she got a bad grade?
On the other hand, the story was inspirational. A lot of parents will probably cite it during nightly homework struggles with their own kids.
According to this piece on Politics Daily, the president departed from his planned text to tell Malia's story.
He may very well have asked her permission, to be sure. But as parents, what do you think about the president sharing his daughter's grades?
(Associated Press photo)
Comments
I voted "with her permission." I guess that's a great way to motivate her to do better next time, but I'd also worry that it's too much pressure for a child.
Posted by: Kayris | November 6, 2009 4:28 PM
Obviously this is controversial and risky. However, being the daughter of a president, she already is under lot of pressure I beleive. I think Obama is trying to portray other side of the president, being a father, in the hope of connecting to many of us. I don't see any issue here.
Posted by: Tajinder Singh | November 6, 2009 4:46 PM
funny you bring this up. my mother and i were just discussing it last night. i offered that malia had to give him permission. he doesn't seem like the kind of father who wouldn't be sensitive to that. still, i cringed. LOL i just imagine malia shutting him out if he didn't get permission. she's a pre-teen, too?! my goodness.
Posted by: tressie | November 6, 2009 4:59 PM
I voted yes. He shared the story after the fact. After her second grade showed progress.
Posted by: Sharon | November 7, 2009 12:27 PM
I find it troubling that many have branded a 73 a "bad" grade. It is an indicator of "average" ability (C) and is "bad" only if one could do better but chose not to do so. Parents who expect all children to acheive A's and B's, above average grades, clearly do not understand math well enough to judge. It is a poorly written test that either allows or requires that all questions be answered correctly. Please, encourage your kids to work to the best of their abilities and allow for the fact they may not be perfect in every area.
Posted by: Career Educator | November 7, 2009 9:25 PM
I don't feel we should need our children's persmission to share something like grades. We as parents have a responsiblity just as our children do. Our parents surely did not asked our permission to share things about us.
Posted by: A Mother | November 8, 2009 7:36 PM
They're kids, let them be kids! ! They should discuss the issue with Mom and/or Dad, and make their own decision. Sometimes they can be an "inspiration" to others. But again, that's their decision. It' doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with their Dad, family should be off limits unless "they" choose to be public. The exception being if they knowingly inject themselves into forming Public Policies, then they are open to discussion.
Posted by: JoeB | November 9, 2009 8:10 AM
grades shouldn't only be private. what if u got a very good grade? they should have put: " Malia got a bad grade Mr. President talked to her and got a higher grade of 95."
thats what they should have put much better don't u think???
Posted by: Cami- Cami | November 9, 2009 9:37 PM
I like the story. I like that the President shared it. It would have been even more powerful if he hadn't shared the following 95.
Posted by: John Burnette | December 22, 2009 8:33 AM