The idea behind Core Knowledge is simple and powerful: knowledge builds on knowledge. The more you know, the more you are able to learn. This insight, well-established by cognitive science, has profound implications for teaching and learning. Nearly all of our most important goals for education–greater reading comprehension, the ability to think critically and solve problems, even higher test scores–are a function of the depth and breadth of our knowledge.

By outlining the precise content that every child should learn in language arts and literature, history and geography, mathematics, science, music, and the visual arts, the Core Knowledge curriculum represents a first-of-its kind effort to identify the foundational knowledge every child needs to reach these goals–and to teach it, grade-by-grade, year-by-year, in a coherent, age-appropriate sequence.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, school administrator, or someone who cares about education, we invite you to learn more about the Core Knowledge Sequence, our schools, and our philosophy.  We are dedicated to the idea that every child deserves a rigorous, lively, and coherent education.

Core Knowledge Philosophy

The Core Knowledge Foundation is dedicated to the mission–educational excellence and equity for all children. To make that mission a reality Core Knowledge offers detailed help and materials to schools, teachers and parents; and effective advocacy grounded in scientific research to citizens and policy makers. We believe that every person in a diverse democratic society deserves equal access to the common knowledge base that draws together its people, while recognizing our differing traditions and contributions. We believe that offering universal access to this shared knowledge is a primary duty of schooling, critical to literacy, and to the closing of the achievement gap between ethnic and racial groups. Most important of all, we believe that shared knowledge, a shared narrative, and shared ideals of liberty and tolerance are indispensable ingredients for effective citizenship and for the perpetuation of our democratic institutions.

About the Curriculum

For the sake of academic excellence, greater equity and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need to teach a coherent, cumulative, and content-specific core curriculum.

Our society cannot afford a two-tiered system in which the affluent have access to a superior education, while everyone else is subjected to a dull and incoherent classroom experience. Academic excellence, educational equity and fairness demand a strong foundation of knowledge for all learners.    — E. D. Hirsch, Jr.

Coherent

The Core Knowledge Sequence is predicated on the realization that what children are able to learn at any given moment depends on what they already know–and, equally important, that what they know is a function of previous experience and teaching. Although current events and technology are constantly changing, there is a body of lasting knowledge and skills that form the core of a strong preschool—Grade 8 curriculum. Explicit identification of what children should learn at each grade level ensures a coherent approach to building knowledge across all grade levels. Every child should learn the fundamentals of science, basic principles of government, important events in world history, essential elements of mathematics, widely acknowledged masterpieces of art and music from around the world, and stories and poems passed down from generation to generation.

Cumulative

Core Knowledge provides a clear outline of content to be learned grade by grade so that knowledge, language, and skills build cumulatively from year to year. This sequential building of knowledge not only helps ensure that children enter each new grade ready to learn, it also helps prevent the repetitions and gaps that so often characterize current education. No more repeated units in multiple years on the rain forest, with little or no attention to the Bill of Rights, world geography, or exposure to other cultures. Core Knowledge sets high expectations for all children that are achievable thanks to the cumulative, sequential way that knowledge and skills builds. Teachers in Core Knowledge schools have assurance that children will emerge well prepared with a shared body of knowledge and skills.

Content-Specific

A typical state or district curriculum says, “Students will demonstrate knowledge of people, events, ideas, and movements that contributed to the development of the United States.” But which people and events? Which ideas and movements? The Core Knowledge Sequence is distinguished by its specificity. By clearly specifying important knowledge in language arts, history, geography, math, science, and the fine arts, the Core Knowledge Sequence presents a practical answer to the question, “What do our children need to know?”  Teachers are free to devote their energies and efforts to creatively planning how to teach the content to the children in their classrooms.

Core Knowledge:

• Provides a broad base of knowledge and the rich vocabulary needed for reading achievement and academic success.
• Provides a plan for coherent, sequenced learning from grade to grade,
• Promotes teamwork and a school-wide focus.
• Enables schools to work more effectively while meeting and exceeding state standards.
• Decreases the learning gaps caused by student mobility,
• Provides a strong foundation of knowledge for success in high school and beyond,
• Creates a common focus to share knowledge and expertise,
• Encourages cooperation among schools to provide a quality learning experiences for all students.
• Enhances accountability and parental engagement by providing a clear outline of what children are expected to learn in school.
• Provides a common ground for communication–in school and in life.

Content from the Core Knowledge website:
http://www.coreknowledge.org/