This ERIC digest addresses (1) the constitutional foundations of the U.S. presidency, (2) how the role of chief executive has changed through the years, and (3) Internet resources for teaching about the U.S. presidency. The digest discusses the Philadelphia Convention (1787), dominant issues guiding the creation of the chief executive's role, checks and balances, federal versus states' rights, and executive authority. The document lists four Internet resources with annotations. (BB)