Obama recalls how daughter scored 95 in science
Washington: Parents must set a "high bar" in
the household, US President Barack Obama said as he recalled
how his daughter Malia scored a 95 in a science test in school
with a little bit of inspiration from him.
Marking the first anniversary of his election yesterday,
the 48-year-old leader asked states to toughen their education
standards and deviated from the prepared text of his speech to
share a family story -- about the 11-year-old child.
"Even in our own household, with all the privileges and
opportunities we have there are times when the kids slack off.
There are times when they would rather be watching TV or
playing a computer game than hitting the books," he said.
He said Malia, a sixth-grader at Sidwell Friends School
here, had come home with a 73 on her science test some time
ago. He said a few years ago, Malia had once scored in the 80s
and felt she had "done pretty well" but was told by him and
his wife that their goal was "90 per cent and up."
"She started internalising that" and with a 73, "she was
depressed". Obama asked her what happened, and she said the
study guide did not match up. Malia vowed to study harder.
"So she came home yesterday, she got a 95," Obama said.
"But here's the point: She said, 'You know, I just like
having knowledge," he said, going on to the make the point
that "parents must set a high bar in the household."
Obama's remarks were seen as rare for a President who has
tried hard to protect his children's privacy. "Reporters were
left to wonder if the President would tell Malia that he told
the world about her science lesson," CBS News writes.
Bureau Report