Days before the school year began, teachers from approximately 900 schools were taking classes to prepare for the new citywide math and reading curriculums, which are part of the sweeping reforms underway of the New York City public school system.

High School teacher Donna Florio is pleased that students will for the most part be doing the same work in elementary and junior high school, because it means they will come into her class with backgrounds in the same material. Elementary School Teacher Liz Seise thinks the balanced literacy program gives teachers a little more freedom, while Huldah Rosario welcomes the new curriculum, but feels that the Department of Education has not provided teachers with enough time to prepare.