Core Knowledge

Core Knowledge (CK) is an educational reform model based on the premise that a solid, specific, shared core curriculum is crucial to ensure a sound elementary education and to help children build strong foundations of knowledge. The content of this core curriculum is outlined in the Core Knowledge Sequence manual, which describes what students should learn at each grade level in kindergarten through grade 8 (K-8). The Core Knowledge Sequence provides a detailed outline and planned progression of specific content to teach in the language arts, American and world history, geography, math, science, the visual arts, and music. The Core Knowledge Sequence of topics is intended to provide 50 percent of what is taught in a U.S. elementary school, and the content complements the general skills development and learning objectives typically found in state and local curriculum guides.

Core Knowledge is based on the idea that for the sake of academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade.

Currently, hundreds of schools are participating in the CK school reform model throughout the United States. While study results were somewhat mixed, the evaluations of the CK program indicate that treatment group students experienced significant improvements in their reading and math skills as compared with no-treatment control-group students.