Kids Grade President Obama on His First Year

President Obama has finished his first year in office. But how well has he done as President? National Geographic Kids magazine asked 758 readers to grade President Obama on his performance in different subjects like health care, Iraq and Afghanistan, and the environment.

So how did he do? For the most part, NG Kids readers think the President is doing a pretty good job. Most kids (90%) gave him an overall passing grade. When it came down to individual issues, the readers were a little more divided. For example, 46% gave him an A or B on health care, 22% gave him a C or D. Fifteen percent of kids gave him an F–more Fs than he received on any other subject. Readers were more pleased with President Obama’s progress on taking care of the environment. Nearly half gave the President an A or B in this subject.

But when it comes to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, one in four kids gave the President a C or D for his performance. Here, too, they were sharply divided on his handling of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and both sides were extremely vocal about the stance they thought the President should take.

Along with the grades, kids also gave advice for the President to keep in mind for the rest of his term, such as “Sometimes being a leader means standing alone and doing the right thing when no one else will,” “Listen to the people, because the people make up this great union,” and “Try not to slouch so much.”

What grade would you give President Obama for his first year in office?

Photograph by Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

Comments

preeya09
January 21, 2010, 8:32 pm

I would vote for Obama doing a good job.
emshemie3
January 23, 2010, 9:58 am

Okay, I respect him because he is our President…But really so far his descisions deserve a “D” grade. Some might even qualify as an “F”. I wanted John Mccain and Sarah Palin to win the election. That is not the only reason I dislike Obama, though.
2whitie
January 23, 2010, 10:22 pm

he stinks
Anonymous
January 25, 2010, 6:23 pm

GO OBAMA GO OBAMA GO OBAMA YAAAAA!!!!!!
Adonamore
January 25, 2010, 6:27 pm

Barrack Obama has not done enough things for me to decide.
britany5455
January 25, 2010, 9:26 pm

I think that his descisions so far deserve a “D”.But the war in Iraq deserves a”F” or maybe a “D”.
MRG12
January 26, 2010, 2:38 am

i would give him a C or D for what he has done.
escape2books
January 26, 2010, 1:23 pm

I would give president Obama a really low grade like a f or d. He is our president though so I respect that but on most of Obama’s views I am against.
PuppyBoo03
January 27, 2010, 11:07 am

I think that Obama has done an okay job for the mess that was created before him and sometimes it takes a mess to clean one. I also think that he shouldn’t bring our soldiers home but swap them back and forth because those people need help. And most of the people critisizing don’t need health care help and have there jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
escape2paris
January 27, 2010, 1:36 pm

I think that pres. obama has earned an ‘F’ because i mean, if i could speak my mind 2 him,there would be no more bombings and no more war. although i dislike him,he is our president so i respect him.
gregg
January 28, 2010, 10:44 am

This is a terrible web site because everyone who posts a comment is too young to have an opinion about the most important person in our country! How sad that this is allowed to exist! Every one of the children who posted comments just said stuff that they heard their parents say or they heard on tv and are now spouting junk about the president….not a good idea to let people who are not knowledgeable make comments!!!!
Horse-geo812
January 28, 2010, 3:07 pm

i have thought Obama was right in the past. But I give him a D- or a C now. I am not happy about snending more troops to Afghanistan, I give him a c+. the environment i give him a B. Heath care I give him a B+. i love it here because it lets kids talk about things that are going on in the world!
anna.peria
January 28, 2010, 7:37 pm

Hey! He might not be the best, but at least he’s trying to clean up the mess that Bush left. Don’t u think every person needs a chance? Would u do it better if u were president? I don’t think so.
kittymow
January 28, 2010, 8:30 pm

F F F I’M NOT IMPRESSED!
Karmella
January 29, 2010, 10:50 am

I am not Impressed at all.
Karmella
January 29, 2010, 10:52 am

He is trying to change are health.
Beautie2010
January 29, 2010, 11:33 am

Well Bush messed up the whole contry so Omama is trying.It’s not easy as you think. So stop criticizing the man!GOSH
Karmella
January 29, 2010, 1:43 pm

I give him 5 F’s
Anonymous
January 29, 2010, 4:13 pm

hey gregg i did not just get that off tv or my parents and this is a great websie:)
Anonymous
January 29, 2010, 4:41 pm

Sorry but I voted for Jon Mccain and Sarah Palain
I have to respeact the president but I have to give him a F:)
ghibi9
January 30, 2010, 8:57 am

he is doing what he thinks is best for the country and thats his ideas are just not what the whole country is agrreing on right now! I just dont want to be paying for the guy next door who is doing nothing with his life,smokes, drinks and all that jazz
HappyStar243
January 30, 2010, 10:19 am

I didn’t vote for Obama. I’d give him and F or a D-.
mikeyboy2000
January 30, 2010, 5:04 pm

i cannot decide on who i want to vote on.
moon
January 31, 2010, 11:59 am

I Think He STINKS
he is horrible
sammieabcdefg
January 31, 2010, 2:52 pm

okay, gregg, i know you probably got THAT opinion from YOUR parents too! Most of us are above the age of 5!!!!!!! when we get past that age we can FORM OUR OWN OPINIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! We do NOT get most most if any of OUR opinions from the tv of our parents. we pay attention to what is going on. We pay attention to how this country is being run. we can speak our own opinions, and we should be able to do that without someone like you getting mad at us. This is a GREAT website where kids can voice their opinion. We can talk about problems that affect us too, not just adults.
Emma
February 1, 2010, 10:32 am

Hmmm. I don’t know. I mean probably totally he would deserve a C, but in specific matters there are a lot of As and Bs. But the chance that he becomes a better President is always available. I would probably give him a B.
berwicktweed
February 1, 2010, 10:35 am

dear gregg- “spouting junk”?

I could very well say that to you.
Your agist generalization is despicable.

Obama is a president. He would not have taken up a position without knowing that people will disagree with his methods. Why do you feel the need to justify him?
Class 2018
February 1, 2010, 3:31 pm

I want to know why kids are giving President Obama a failing grade. Did you hear his State of the Union Address? Do you know about the things he is trying to do? Remember that good things take time!
Disney;)
February 1, 2010, 6:28 pm

DON’T CRITIZIZE THE MAN HE’S TRYING TO HELP. BEING A PRESIDENT O THE USA IS A REALLY HARD JOB.SO SHUSH
(((H.Q.)))
February 2, 2010, 1:10 pm

I think that our president hasn’t done anything that deserves recognition in his first year. Now I’m saying this out of my own opinion and not fact. Everybody has an opinion about our current president in office; Barack Obama. You people out there need to keep in thought on really, what has our president really done, that is so great? He hasn’t accomplished anything! He talks the talk, but doesn’t walk the walk. He is a natural born liar who needs to go back where he came from, Kenya! So you want my grade on him? Well I tell you that he’s far from an A or B or C or a D, even an -F. I’ll give him an L, for LOSER! That’s my opinion, so have a nice day.
thecampbell5
February 9, 2010, 9:12 pm

Hey gregg, I greatly disagree because just because we might have heard something on TV (which I don’t have) or from our parents does NOT mean that we are not entitled to an opinion. I am myself an Independent and am proud to
to be that. I hear a lot of things myself and if you think that it is not good for somebody else to tell you things, you will not learn anything during this government because they would be happy to tell you all that you want to hear. In this government you will never know what the truth is unless you demand it.
thecampbell5
February 16, 2010, 8:56 pm

I think that (((H.Q.))) is right. He talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk. He is willing to say anything that the people want to hear but doesn’t really mean it.
kids1
February 23, 2010, 2:05 am

Just wanted to say that this is one of the best sites for Kids of all ages. Keep up the good work!
kidss
March 8, 2010, 1:51 am

Not sure if I agree with this one, but it sure seems like the Obamas have got a lot to prove if they are to improve the lives of millions of American kids. I am a parent and regularly keep up to date with kids websites. But I also found out some great info on this kids websites blog post and how kids were writing letters of advice to Obama. Very interesting. Who said kids should be seen and not heard? I say, let’s put them in Government, they’ll surely do a better a job.
2whitie
April 5, 2010, 6:27 pm

Booo! Like everyone is saying, he talks, but does not walk. The Heath care will not do anything at all. All the goverment needs to do is look at the people who are the nations future and think for the first time since Abe Lincoun. Go (((HQ))))!!! that took guts! But however, show a little respect, sadly.
2mace
April 5, 2010, 7:01 pm

I think that Obama is the absolutly the worst president we have had sence Clinton. I also think that he set a record for the most lies.
2mace
April 5, 2010, 7:12 pm

He deserves a F F and maybe even a l for (liar)! Haha I just now got on Obama’s nervesside
2mace
April 5, 2010, 7:51 pm

Go (((HQ)))!!! GO Ithink that Obama does not like me!
(((H.Q.)))
April 6, 2010, 10:48 pm

Hi Everybody. For those who have stated that they are in agreement I would like to thank you, I’m not wanting to be prideful or anything but, I would like to apologize to those who thought that I didn’t give our 44th president any respect. I know you may be in disagreement with our president such as I, but we still need to be the people we are for our country and give him respect, no matter how bad the circumstances are. The only thing that you can hope for is just that he can actually have a “change” in mind, even though it might be too late. Any ways, I just think it’s right sometimes to let out all that is inside you, whether they be beliefs or statements that are true to your own opinion.
lila11
April 8, 2010, 1:40 pm

He’s ruining my mom’s profession!!!! A million F- for him!!!
Karmella10
May 2, 2010, 4:50 pm

STOP! The DRAMA Obama!!!!
(((H.Q.)))
May 4, 2010, 9:45 pm

Please to anyone who feels affended by what I said here, don’t get mad at me, please. I am in favor of the immigration law, to those who disagree or agree. Now, to sum this up and tell you the basics of how this law works, is that the Gov. of Arizona, signed this bill to knock sense into people that illegal immigrants is not right, or fair at all. This summary does go prior to Obama’s case as well. What the heck does this guy poke his nose into this issue. Sure he’s the president of the U.S. and all 50 states, but cmon. Who is he to say that this law is “misguided”. If you ask me I think Obama is “MISGUIDED” himself. Anyways about the law. It’s to prevent further “illegals” from crossing the border, “illegally”. It also states that state officals or border control agents are to seek out homes that hold a whole bunch of illegal immigrants. One more thing to those who read this far. This law will help Arizona’s economy, and financial debt, if illegal people are living here illegally. That will be all to say, thank you.
run
May 6, 2010, 7:07 pm

out of both candidates Obama was the most balanced. He also better at deciding what is right for the country I feel. Not just that but Palin kills harmless wolfs and their young which is well just bad. In reality peace will not be acceived soon but Obama has helped our economy with he bailout and the healthcare bill has created jobs for people out of work. overall i feel he is a good president.
julibuli8
May 8, 2010, 3:24 pm

Nobody but him knows how hard it is to run the country. It’s stressful, dangerous, and he is doing the best he can. I give him an A.
lila11
June 2, 2010, 7:49 pm

Anyone who saw my earlier post should know my moms a docter
jindo2108
June 4, 2010, 6:51 pm

(((H.Q.)))- I disagree your opinions on the President. Yes, he may be struggling a little, but it is hard for a guy to solve the economy crisis,make a health care bill, try to stop the wars, and make our country more green. It’s a very hard job and he must solve some of the things Bush left unsolved. Obama is working very hard to appeal to all, but we do have so many opinions in this country. This is a incredibly hard time to take the job as our president, and he is doing the best he can.
Do you remember the healthcare bill? The economic stimulus bill? They might not of been perfect, but they were bills that solved some problems. I think he is doing alot, but slower than most want.
Obama is also from Hawaii, not Kenya. His dad is from Kenya, but not him.
My grade? B+.
Mclainak
July 26, 2010, 7:51 pm

F- i respect obamah as our presedent,he is trying hard
he may know things we dont know; but as for health
care every one has equal helthcare witch means everyone has bad health care. ALL I have heard from people is they dont like him.
2whitie
August 5, 2010, 8:34 am

I really don’t like him, and I wanted mcain to win, but I disagree with Gregg. Give us ALL some credit to form our own opnion. I read the newspapers and watched is speeches, and I did not like what he stood for , wanted to to, and that is why I hate politics. Never fair, there are always underhand dealings, and clueless people who will vote for Obama because thier clueless friend said so. And now he in a mess with the people he appointed and desions all the republicans knew were coining. I don’t think((((HQ)))))) offendended anyone because the truth is hard to handle.
sweety699
September 25, 2010, 10:12 pm

I’ve heard a lot of negitive things so far about him, but I think he’s just going through some problems. Everyone makes mistakes.
monkey33
October 9, 2010, 4:54 pm

I agree with thecampbell5 actually!
jindo2108
November 15, 2010, 4:38 pm

Here here, Sweety699! I agree!
Anonymous
January 25, 2011, 6:58 pm

D or F.I don’t know about the rest of the country, but our city is garbage.There is no clean up what so ever.I mean, I respect him as our president and all, but someone needs to go up there and wake him up!!But he is doing pretty good,but the oil in the Gulf is not cool.Sorry, getting off subject.:-)
lila11
February 22, 2011, 7:36 pm

I wonder what would happen if his daughters found us criticizing him!!! ooo that would be fun!
YoonJae
April 6, 2011, 8:00 pm

Umm I guess for most things I would give him a C,D, or F because I watch the news a lot and I barely see him on the news doing anything at all. For example, yeah, I guess The Obama Plan is okay, but I’m a only child and my family is having money difficulties with mortgage and such. Plus, he’s barely doing anything but cheering for us to win battles and wars with Afganistan and Iraq. He doesn’t even get people to clean the oil in the gulf! I watch Nickelodeon and Disney Channel and I know he has personal businesses to attend (his kids) and I know his wife goes on tv shows and encourages kids to work out and eat healthy but think about the economy and the envoirment. I guess Japan is a B because he said in his speech that he’s going to help them, but what about us???? He doesn’t give more help to us! In his speech, he said he would help the poor and us and blah blah blah. I honestly wanted Mccain to win the election even though Sarah Palin did some inappropriate things.. Yes, when he won, he got me for a hour with his long and tustworthy speech, but he doesn’t do ANY of that. And that makes me disapointed. So his grade? A BIG FAT D-.
!KittyKat!
November 9, 2011, 6:21 pm

Not to be rude, but I do think other people could have done a better job, personalty, that’s what I would think…but it did make a record in the history books! First colored person-president!
NiissiiePooh
November 15, 2011, 12:19 pm

ii THINK HE IIS DOIING A GREAT JOB . HE IS JUST CLEANING UP EVERYTHING THAT BUSH MESSED UP ! I GIVE HIM A BIG A ! I LOVE YOU OBAMA!
live+love<3
December 11, 2012, 4:37 pm

that would be HILARIOUS if his daughters saw our posts. proud i didnt say anything RUDE like some people!!! i wonder if he has read these…A+!!! lol
live+love<3
December 11, 2012, 4:41 pm

EXCUSE ME gregg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How RUDE…just read ur comment i think obama needs a chance. look @ what a mess Bush made. he has to clean it all up. i think it was better to send more troops to Afghanistan. i am doing a project bout the war RIGHT NOW and it’s crazy how much those peeps r suffering. they need some SERIOUS assistance-FAST! …no offense anyone
chinni008
December 12, 2012, 11:50 am

probaly an F/D