The Structured Magnet (SM) school emphasized back-to-basics curricular content, driven by New York State standards. Instruction was described as teacher directed, with drill and practice used to develop skills and curricular proficiency. Instructional materials regularly included textbooks, workbooks, and worksheets, and students completed assigned work at their desks. There was also a strong schoolwide emphasis on structured classrooms
and discipline, including consequences for modifying inappropriate behavior.