In this improving grades keynote, Stanford professor Geoffrey Cohen uses scientific theory to help solve social problems. Specifically, Cohen demonstrates how small acts can actually have major consequences speaking specifically towards education. Through his studies and experiments, Cohen has found that carefully timed social-psychological interventions can have lasting and large effects on academic performance.
As Cohen points out through his research, these small affirmations have tremendous effect. Working with African American middle school students who had these small social-psychological interventions saw improvement in their grades instantly.
To summarize Cohen shares in this improving grades keynote that by affirming a certain value in a threatening context then educators in fact create a big experience for youth that build their confidence.