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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
Still torn? Answer a few questions and see how both rank for your child, side by side.
Compare for my child| Constitution 101 | Documents of Freedom | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 9th–12th | 9th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Nonpartisan; presents contrasting views | Pro-Constitution, limited-government civic virtue; not religious |
| Approach | Online modules with video, readings, vocabulary, graphic organizers and a 20-question test | Inquiry and discussion around founding documents, with essays and activities |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The parent teaches |
| Parent prep | Moderate (online lesson plans; best with discussion) | High (teacher reads and plans discussions and activities) |
| Screen time | Online | Online |
| Video lessons | Included: each module includes video | None: mostly readings; few videos |
| Cost | $0: free online course | $0: free online course |
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Cathy Duffy calls it free, in-depth and heavily built on primary sources, and notes it avoids pushing one side. It is demanding in reading and writing, works best as a group class or with a parent leading discussion, and its downloadable PDF manual has broken links, so use the online lessons. It covers the Constitution, not economics or state and local government.
The one outside review praises a free, broad set of primary sources and activities that students remember. It is not neutral, since it presents a clear pro-Constitution, limited-government view, it takes real teacher preparation, and many activities are built for a group. There are no exams, so you grade essays yourself.
Neither is better for every child. Constitution 101 is the stronger fit for nonpartisan, no stated viewpoint; video or online lessons; video lessons a big plus. Documents of Freedom is the stronger fit for economics; free-market, limited-government.
Constitution 101: nonpartisan; presents contrasting views. Documents of Freedom: pro-Constitution, limited-government civic virtue; not religious.
Constitution 101: $0: free online course. Documents of Freedom: $0: free online course.
Summaries are in our own words.