Becoming    

By Michelle Obama (Crown, 2018)

Becoming, a memoir by Michelle Obama, is about much more than education. Yet more than five years after reading it, what stays with me still today are Michelle’s stories about her mother, Marian Robinson, and her relentless pursuit of a quality education for her daughter. Marian Robinson stands out as a testament to the power of parental involvement in education.

Although Robinson did not believe Michelle was any more “special” than other children, she insisted that the school hold high expectations for her daughter. She protested when Michelle was placed in a low reading group. And she demanded that Michelle be moved out of a dark basement classroom led by an inexperienced teacher into one where the quality of education was higher. She researched and selected schools that provided Michelle with the right opportunities — ultimately placing her in an academically rigorous magnet school. And she created an environment at home that valued education and learning, laying a strong foundation for Michelle’s educational success.

Robinson illustrates the transformative impact that family support can have on a child’s future. As I strive to conduct meaningful research that improves educational opportunities for students, I am reminded of Michelle’s story and the difference that a parent can make in their child’s educational journey. Educators and policy makers must continue to prioritize programs and policies that promote a high-quality educational environment for all children — especially those who do not have a Marian Robinson in their lives.

This article appears in the September 2024 issue of Kappan, Vol. 106, No. 1, p. 7.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amie Rapaport

AMIE RAPAPORT is a research scientist and co-director of the Center for Applied Research in Education at the Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California.