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Two homeschool civics and economics programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: viewpoint, what you study, teaching style, and how much you'll teach.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
These two are close: the differences are small, so price, grade range and what parents say below may decide it.
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| BJU Press Gov & Econ | Abeka Gov & Econ | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 11th–12th | 11th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Conservative Christian; limited-government economics | Conservative, pro-free-enterprise, Christian and patriotic |
| Approach | Full-color textbook with chapter questions, activity manual and tests; optional video course | Textbook reading with section reviews, chapter essays and quizzes |
| Who teaches | The parent teaches from a scripted guide | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Moderate (the teacher's edition holds the answers and notes you rely on) | Low to moderate (teacher edition has lesson plans and keys) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Available: an online/DVD video course is sold, but the print kit works on its own | Available: abeka Academy video lessons exist but are a separate program |
| Cost | $223: American Government homeschool kit, 4th edition ($222.95; Economics is a separate kit) | $46: American Government student text; teacher edition ($70) and Economics: Work and Prosperity are extra |
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Reviewers describe engaging, well-illustrated texts that ask real thinking questions, with Christian worldview sidebars. The teacher's edition does a lot of the work. It costs more than most options and assumes a Christian, limited-government outlook, and economics is a separate kit from government.
The economics text is called better written and less dry than many Abeka books, and the government book is thorough with frequent review questions. Reviewers warn that the viewpoint is strongly conservative and Christian, that section questions lean toward recall, and that parents may want to read along on the economics theory.
Neither is better for every child. BJU Press Gov & Econ is the stronger fit for video or online lessons; projects and simulations; plenty. Abeka Gov & Econ is the stronger fit for free-market, limited-government; minimal.
BJU Press Gov & Econ: conservative Christian; limited-government economics. Abeka Gov & Econ: conservative, pro-free-enterprise, Christian and patriotic.
BJU Press Gov & Econ: $223: American Government homeschool kit, 4th edition ($222.95; Economics is a separate kit). Abeka Gov & Econ: $46: American Government student text; teacher edition ($70) and Economics: Work and Prosperity are extra.
Summaries are in our own words.