The Knowledge Network

by Katie Birckhead

This spring, the New York City schools each were provided with state funds for differentiated support services by providers of their choice, and one of the options schools could choose was the Knowledge Network, led by a former New York City Regional Superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Cashin, now CEO of the Knowledge Network Learning Support Organization. The Core Knowledge curriculum is the centerpiece of Dr. Cashin’s program.

Roughly one hundred schools chose to go with the Knowledge Network, and effective July 1st, these schools will function under Knowledge Network’s direction. Along with an array of specialized support services for each of the schools, the Knowledge Network will work with each school to develop a customized implementation strategy for the Core Knowledge curriculum—either across the whole school, across specific grades, within a content area, or in specific classrooms. With the help of the United Federation of Teachers Teacher Center (UFTTC) staff, the Knowledge Network will provide on-site support and professional development to train and guide its schools in the implementation of Core Knowledge.

What is The Core Knowledge Foundation’s role in this initiative?

Using the Train the Trainer model, experienced Core Knowledge consultants spent much of this spring assisting the UFTTC in training some ninety-three teacher-trainers, who in turn will work in Knowledge Network schools around the city. The Foundation is directly involved in three distinct ways:

Step 1: Professional Development

• Core Knowledge conducts two full days of Core Knowledge training with UFTTC staff.
• UFTTC trainees each go home with training materials, a study guide containing comprehensive knowledge of the Core Knowledge Year 1 professional development materials, and an assignment of specific sections of training they will be expected to present to an audience in Step 2. 

Step 2:  Assessment

• Core Knowledge Assessment: The trainees are tested in their knowledge of Core Knowledge Implementation and Professional Development.
• Core Knowledge consultants observe and assist UFTTC Trainers conducting two days of mock Core Knowledge Professional Development training.

Step 3: Observations

• UFTTC Trainers visit and observe in two Core Knowledge schools in NYC—one that has been designated as a visitation site and is fully implementing Core Knowledge and the other that is just finishing its first year of Core Knowledge implementation.

With the successful completion of Step 3, the UFTCC trainers will be certified as NYC Core Knowledge consultants, capable of conducting Year One Core Knowledge training and offering support to NYC educators in the Knowledge Network.

The process will repeat next winter and spring when we train the trainers to conduct Year Two of Core Knowledge workshops.

How is the initiative going so far?

We have developed close working relationships that will benefit Core Knowledge, the Knowledge Network, as well as the UFT Teacher Center. The Core Knowledge Foundation remains in daily contact with the UFT Teacher Center. Core Knowledge consultants remain in contact with the UFT trainers. It is beneficial to both the trainers and the Foundation to keep these lines of communication open. By working together, both groups continue to share ideas, challenges, and growth in the process to promote the implementation of Core Knowledge in the New York City schools.

The United Federation of Teachers Teacher Center’s enthusiasm for and understanding of Core Knowledge implementation is encouraging. We at the Foundation learned how to improve our own training procedures from observing the UFTTC trainers’ examples and explanations, as well as their ways of educating the participants on the effectiveness of Core Knowledge.

The true test will begin this fall, when almost one hundred New York City schools begin teaching Core Knowledge content to their students. So, you can expect updates on this major project in future newsletters. If your school district is interested in developing a similar support network for your area, contact Katie Birckhead of the Core Knowledge Foundation for more information.

Here are some quotes from some of the people involved in the early implementation of Core Knowledge in New York City:

I am excited for the kids and families of NYC! They are being given the opportunity to learn the New York City standards within the context of rich content topics provided by the Core Knowledge Sequence. Overall, I think that these first three days have been very productive and the relationship between the UFTTC and the Core Knowledge Foundation is strong. After about 45 minutes into my group's first presentation, I wrote a text message to Katie..."this is great!”  I’ve been impressed with the high degree of professionalism and technique of the UFTTC staff.  Their strengths will provide the basis for successful implementation of Core Knowledge in NYC schools.
—Tim Quiroz, National Core Knowledge Consultant

Enthusiasm for Core Knowledge is everywhere.  The trainers seemed energized to share Core Knowledge with others.  I heard a lot of people say, “It just makes sense”.  The UFT trainers asked a lot of good questions, met challenges, and overcame them.  Their positive attitude was contagious.  Overall I think that these three days were very productive and I feel that the relationship between the UFT and the Core Knowledge Foundation is very strong.
—Casey Churchill, National Core Knowledge Consultant

I was very excited to see that this initiative seemed to be really taking hold in New York City.  I know that it is a huge opportunity for Core Knowledge to be used in a very influential venue and that if Core Knowledge becomes a factor for change in NYC, that we will see many other cities across the nation looking to this example and hopefully having the desire to follow suit.  I am also excited about the way we have chosen to work with the UFTTC and think that this is a wonderful opportunity not only for the NYC people to have a solid support system underneath them, but also for us to learn from their expertise and training.  I personally grew as a consultant by working with the UFTTC people and appreciate the opportunity to continue to do so.  It has been a very valuable experience on both ends and I hope we will continue to push forth with this initiative until the children that we serve are reaping the full benefits.  That's exciting to think about.
—Wendy Hyndman, National Core Knowledge Consultant

I was very impressed with the planning and preparation that went into this partnership.  The group I worked with really did an overall great job.  It was evident from their presentation that they thoughtful planned out the training.  I was impressed with how well the groups worked and complimented one another.  We all know that the preplanning stage is one of the most important and the discussion that took place during that time I feel really helped the groups to be successful during their presentations.
—Dayna Hamilton, National Core Knowledge Consultant

Next article