Our mission is to demonstrate the very best in balanced literacy curriculum and also offer content and history.

Do we teach the same skills with balanced literacy?

In addition to the curriculum, teachers incorporate hands-on-science, science and technology kits, math manipulatives, character education and balanced literacy.

And before the school could adjust, Mr. Klein introduced a new curriculum, balanced literacy.

Why, when referring to "balanced literacy," is applying phonics to reading called "drill"?

Critics say the curriculum, which is known as balanced literacy, is too open-ended and unstructured.

Mr. Klein has defended balanced literacy, though earlier this year he switched to a more structured approach in low-performing schools to get federal aid money.

Ms. Fariña has been a longtime supporter of balanced literacy.

Many veteran teachers who worked with balanced literacy before its adoption citywide say positive things about it.

Ms. Fariña noted yesterday that balanced literacy was not new, and that she used it during her 22 years as a teacher.