Reading items are devoted to whole language, language experience, reading writing work shops, etc. They promote a balanced approach to reading, which means that although they believe in whole language they are willing to concede that phonemic awareness is also important. They don't think it should be taught, mind you, just that it is important. Beginning readers will certainly learn it through osmosis or something. Math is completely NCTM based.
Science is strictly inquiry-based.
The distracters or wrong answers tend to refer to direct instruction practices such as requiring correct spelling, using tests, memorization, etc. Make no mistake about it. Education in America today is a battle between two cultures the culture of progressive education and the culture of traditionalists who believe that all students should learn conventional curriculum at a high level.