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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| Notgrass Government & Economics | BJU Press Gov & Econ | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 9th–12th | 11th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course) | Conservative Christian; limited-government economics |
| Approach | Daily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unit | Full-color textbook with chapter questions, activity manual and tests; optional video course |
| 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) | Moderate (the teacher's edition holds the answers and notes you rely on) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: print books with no video lessons | Available: an online/DVD video course is sold, but the print kit works on its own |
| Cost | $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately | $223: American Government homeschool kit, 4th edition ($222.95; Economics is a separate kit) |
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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.
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.
Neither is better for every child. Notgrass Government & Economics is the stronger fit for books and discussion; minimal. BJU Press Gov & Econ is the stronger fit for textbook and workbook; video or online lessons; video lessons a big plus.
Notgrass Government & Economics: christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course). BJU Press Gov & Econ: conservative Christian; limited-government economics.
Notgrass Government & Economics: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately. BJU Press Gov & Econ: $223: American Government homeschool kit, 4th edition ($222.95; Economics is a separate kit).
Summaries are in our own words.