Home › Civics & economics › Comparisons
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| Notgrass Government & Economics | Abeka Gov & Econ | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 9th–12th | 11th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course) | Conservative, pro-free-enterprise, Christian and patriotic |
| Approach | Daily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unit | Textbook reading with section reviews, chapter essays and quizzes |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The parent teaches from a scripted guide |
| Parent prep | Low (answer keys included; a parent grades essays, quizzes and exams) | Low to moderate (teacher edition has lesson plans and keys) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: print books with no video lessons | Available: abeka Academy video lessons exist but are a separate program |
| Cost | $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately | $46: American Government student text; teacher edition ($70) and Economics: Work and Prosperity are extra |
| Parents love |
|
|
| Common complaints |
|
|
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.
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. Notgrass Government & Economics is the stronger fit for books and discussion. Abeka Gov & Econ is the stronger fit for textbook and workbook; video lessons a big plus.
Notgrass Government & Economics: christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course). Abeka Gov & Econ: conservative, pro-free-enterprise, Christian and patriotic.
Notgrass Government & Economics: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately. Abeka Gov & Econ: $46: American Government student text; teacher edition ($70) and Economics: Work and Prosperity are extra.
Summaries are in our own words.