Core Knowledge Language Arts and the CCSS

Alignment, Implementation, Fidelity

While other programs claim to be aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) does not. CKLA is not aligned to the CCSS—the CCSS are aligned to CKLA.

For decades, the field of education has largely ignored cognitive science—but Core Knowledge has not. Through his own research exploring why some college students had better reading comprehension than others, E. D. Hirsch, Jr., discovered something that cognitive scientists had also discovered: In addition to decoding skills, reading comprehension depends on having relevant knowledge already stored in one’s brain (so do other so-called “higher-order skills” like critical thinking and problem solving).

Unfortunately, most of the field of education has operated under the faulty assumption that reading comprehension, critical thinking, and problem solving are content-free skills that can transfer from one topic to the next (regardless of whether the student knows anything about the topic at hand). Following Core Knowledge’s 25-year lead, the CCSS reject this faulty idea and call for all students to be taught the rigorous academic content that enables comprehension.

In the introduction to the CCSS for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (specifically in the “Key Design Considerations” section), there is the following call for a CKLA-style curriculum:

While the Standards make references to some particular forms of content, including mythology, foundational U.S. documents, and Shakespeare, they do not—indeed, cannot—enumerate all or even most of the content that students should learn. The Standards must therefore be complemented by a well-developed, content-rich curriculum consistent with the expectations laid out in this document.

Representatives from the Core Knowledge Foundation were involved with the development of the CCSS from beginning to end. CKLA not only meets the CCSS, it exceeds them.

Downloadable Resources

K–2 Alignment of CKLA to CCSS  |  Grade 3 Alignment of CKLA to CCSS  |  K–2 Alignment of CKLA to the CCSS Publisher's Criteria  |  Publisher's Criteria  |  Annotated Listening & Learning Lesson

The resources above clearly demonstrate the alignment between the CCSS and CKLA. For even more on the CCSS, please visit the Common Core section of our website.