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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| Notgrass Government & Economics | Clifton Economics & Civics | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | 9th–12th | 9th–12th |
| Viewpoint | Christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course) | Christian, Austrian-school free-market and limited-government |
| Approach | Daily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unit | Reading assignments four days a week with a discussion day; optional live class |
| Who teaches | The program does the teaching | The program does the teaching |
| Parent prep | Low (answer keys included; a parent grades essays, quizzes and exams) | Low (free online answer key for weekly questions) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline (books and paper) | Mostly offline (books and paper) |
| Video lessons | None: print books with no video lessons | None: books only; live classes are separate |
| Cost | $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately | $20: Economics book on Amazon ($19.99, now titled Economics: A Christian Worldview); the Civics book is sold separately |
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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.
The one review we found calls it practical and easy to use, with students working mostly independently and a free online answer key for the weekly questions. It covers selected macro topics from a Christian free-market view, and the reviewer notes topics were chosen to support the author's viewpoint. There's no key for the final review questions.
Neither is better for every child. Notgrass Government & Economics is the stronger fit for government and the constitution; projects and simulations; yes, for the transcript. Clifton Economics & Civics is the stronger fit for free-market, limited-government; minimal.
Notgrass Government & Economics: christian, conservative and limited-government (free-market in the economics course). Clifton Economics & Civics: christian, Austrian-school free-market and limited-government.
Notgrass Government & Economics: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately. Clifton Economics & Civics: $20: Economics book on Amazon ($19.99, now titled Economics: A Christian Worldview); the Civics book is sold separately.
Summaries are in our own words.