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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
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Compare for my child| Master Books Civics and the Constitution | Notgrass Government & Economics | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 10th–12th | 9th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Christian; presents the Constitution as a document of God-given rights; limited-government | Christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course) |
| Approach | Student book reading plus video lectures; worksheets and quizzes in the teacher guide | Daily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unit |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The program does the teaching |
| Parent prep | Low (the teacher guide holds the schedule, worksheets and quizzes) | Low (answer keys included; a parent grades essays, quizzes and exams) |
| Screen time | A mix of screen and paper | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | Included: video lectures come with the course | None: print books with no video lessons |
| Cost | $78: curriculum pack ($78.37, 2026 edition) | $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately |
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Master Books describes it as a fast-paced, issue-focused semester course, and the parent reviews on retailer sites are short and positive about its coverage. It treats the Constitution as a document of God-given rights and takes on debates over reinterpreting it. We haven't found an in-depth independent review yet.
Parents and reviewers like the clear, readable writing and the way each unit builds toward a project or essay. Many call it easy to hand to a teen. The viewpoint is openly Christian and limited-government, so families who want a neutral treatment will need to supplement, and the full bundle with literature costs more than the base books.
Neither is better for every child. Master Books Civics and the Constitution is the stronger fit for video or online lessons; video lessons a big plus; video lessons nice to have. Notgrass Government & Economics is the stronger fit for economics; mostly offline.
Master Books Civics and the Constitution: christian; presents the Constitution as a document of God-given rights; limited-government. Notgrass Government & Economics: christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course).
Master Books Civics and the Constitution: $78: curriculum pack ($78.37, 2026 edition). Notgrass Government & Economics: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately.
Summaries are in our own words.