US: Research suggests an "Obama effect" improving African-American test-taking

Study sees an Obama effect as lifting black test-takers

New York Times January 22, 2009

A recent study has found that since Obama's political success the achievement gap between white and nonwhite students has all but disappeared for the small sample tested.  Whether or not other researchers will be able to duplicate the findings, and if the effect will be a lasting one, are questions that remain to be answered.