Oklahoma Academic Standard 9. The student will examine contemporary challenges and successes in meeting the needs of the American citizen and society, 2002 to the present.

Objective 9.2  Assess Barack Obama’s presidency, including the significance of his election, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, handling of economic conditions, establishment of DACA, and reforms to healthcare.

In a Nutshell

As the 21st century ushered in the first African American president, the Obama administration sought to end war in the Middle East while advocating moderate tax increases on higher earning Americans, designed to fund The Affordable Care Act, reduce the federal budget deficit, and decrease income inequality. Students should also analyze the administration’s attempt to address illegal immigration, which continues to be an issue in modern American politics and society.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Facilitate students to construct arguments using a combination of evidence for and against the Obama administration’s approach to economic issues facing the nation.  

• Actively engage in asking and answering geographic questions by acquiring, organizing and analyzing multiple sources of data and information to evaluate modern immigration patterns and policies. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• candidacy of John McCain

• goal and impact of the Affordable Care Act

• ideology of the Tea Party Movement

• intent of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; status of "Dreamers"

• economic policy including moderate tax increases on higher income Americans, designed to fund health care reform, reduce the federal budget deficit, and decrease income inequality 

• Most students will possess prior exposure to many issues from more recent eras, such as immigration, but may have acquired conclusions which require clarification based on historical background and facts.

Instructional Resources