A computer-based home school program administers a curriculum through a CD-ROM program or an online company. Using a CD-ROM a student may enroll anytime and may or may not have access to certified teachers. Many online homeschool programs have national accreditation. In most cases, students can work at their own pace and may complete the work during the time of day he find most conducive to learning.
Several states offer online public homeschooling as an option for students. Using this method, a student receives state regulated and administered schooling. In many cases the school is tuition free and taught by state-certified teachers. Parent may have to act as a learning coach. Public homeschooling programs utilize textbooks, CDs, videos and hands-on materials. Some states lend computers to students if needed and may subsidize Internet access to make it affordable for parents.
A parent who uses his own judgment to piece together a curriculum and employ various philosophies that compliment the learning of his child employs a method know as eclectic homeschooling. Though the student may use a curriculum, the parent supplements it with additional materials that fit the temperament, interests and gifts of their student. A student may attend private or group music lessons and occasionally attend classes with other homeschool students.
A parent who prefers an alternative approach to traditional curriculum-based learning may consider unschooling. John Holt, educator, supporter of education reform and originator of the term "unschooling," observed that children are born with the ability and desire to learn about the world around them. He felt that when given freedom to investigate their interests, children develop thinking skills. Children learn from daily activities such as play, household activities, work experience and social interaction. A parent may give the child access to school textbooks but does not create a curriculum, instead allowing the child to use books at their leisure as reference materials. Because of the undefined structure of unschooling, the child does not receive graded evaluations.