As Barack Obama’s presidency draws to a close, it is worthwhile to reflect back on some of his accomplishments in the area of education. The president was able to promote a number of ambitious educational policies. Those achievements are all the more remarkable given Republican control of one or both houses of Congress during most of his presidency and the presence of critics from the left, right and center who excoriated his policy prescriptions. While President Obama’s achievements should not be understated, it remains to be seen in light of his critics whether his overall legacy will benefit students.
To his credit, President Obama has understood the connection between quality schooling, individual success and national prosperity. According to a legion of research, education directly correlates with life opportunities. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that in comparison to just having a high school diploma, some college experience corresponds with a 11.5 percent increase in pay, an associate’s degree with about a 20 percent increase in pay, and a bachelor’s degree with a 63.5 percent increase in pay. Scholarship also correlates education with better health, greater life expectancies and increased satisfaction. Regarding his own circumstances, President Obama reflected, “Michelle and I were able to succeed not because of who our parents were, not because we came from a lot of wealth, or because we had a lot of connections … Because we ended up getting into good schools, and we worked hard and we did well.” Thus, from both a personal and political perspective, President Obama comprehends the value of education.
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