Call for Proposals

Share Your Practice, Strengthen the Movement

The Core Knowledge Foundation invites educators, school and system leaders, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, homeschool educators, researchers, teacher trainers, and anyone who partners with PK-8 education to submit proposals for the Core Knowledge Conference, taking place June 24-25, 2027, in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

We are seeking engaging and thought-provoking sessions that help attendees connect ideas to evidence, strengthen practice, and build meaningful connections with fellow educators. 

Why Present?

Presenting at the Core Knowledge Conference is an opportunity to support peers, share lessons learned, contribute to a growing professional community, and help strengthen knowledge-rich education. 

Whether you are a classroom teacher, instructional coach, school or system leader, researcher, or partner, your experiences can help others improve practice, overcome challenges, and expand opportunities for students.

Before You Begin 

Most proposals can be completed in approximately 40-60 minutes.  During the submission process, you will be asked to:

• Identify the primary audience for your session
• Select a content area and experience level 
• Describe participant outcomes 
• Explain how participants will be actively engaged 
• Share evidence, implementation experience, or lessons learned that inform your session 

What We’re Looking For

The strongest sessions help participants understand not only what works, but why it matters and how it can be applied in classrooms, schools, and systems.

• Address a meaningful challenge, opportunity, or question facing educators. 
• Offer practical strategies, tools, or resources participants can immediately apply. 
• Connect research, evidence, or implementation experience to practice. 
• Actively engage participants in learning and discussion. 
• Demonstrate a clear connection to knowledge-rich education and student learning. 
• Clearly identify the intended audience and level of experience for the session. 
• Include examples, tools, resources, artifacts, demonstrations, or other takeaways participants can use after the session. 

We particularly value sessions that connect ideas to implementation through concrete examples from classrooms, schools, districts, or organizations. 

Conference Areas of Focus 

The 2027 Core Knowledge Conference is organized around four content areas that reflect the progression from why, to practice, to support, to scale. We encourage presenters to select the area that best aligns with the primary focus of their session. 

→ Why Knowledge Matters

Research, evidence, and ideas that inform knowledge-rich education. 

Examples include: cognitive science, science of learning, knowledge-building research, educational equity and opportunity, the case for knowledge-rich curriculum, and evidence-based practice. 

→ Knowledge-Rich Instruction 

Instructional practices that build student knowledge and understanding. 

Examples include: lesson internalization, planning for instruction, classroom practice, student discourse, vocabulary development, student engagement, discussion techniques, knowledge building, curriculum implementation, and assessment. 

→ Instructional Coaching & Adult Learning

Professional learning, coaching, and educator development.
Examples include: coaching cycles, observation and feedback, professional learning communities, educator development, facilitating adult learning, and supporting implementation through coaching.  

→ School & Systems Leadership 

Leadership, implementation, and sustainable systems improvement.
Examples include: instructional leadership, strategic planning, change management, board and governance leadership, district leadership, implementation planning, systems thinking, organizational culture, and sustaining and scaling successful practices. 

Who Should Submit? 

We welcome proposals from:

• Classroom Teachers 
• Teacher Leaders and Instructional Coaches 
• School and District Leaders 
• Curriculum and Academic Leaders 
• Researchers and Higher Education Faculty 
• Education Organizations and Partners 

We strongly encourage active practitioners to submit. You do not need to be a professional speaker to submit a proposal. Some of the most impactful conference sessions come directly from educators sharing practical experiences, lessons learned, and successful implementation efforts. 

Session Formats

• 45-Minute Session 
• 60-Minute Session 
• 90-Minute Session

Proposal Timeline

• CFP Opens: September 18, 2026 
• CFP Closes: October 23, 2026 
• Proposal Decisions: November 2026 
• Presenter Notifications: November 2026 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an area of focus focused specifically on early childhood education?
The four areas of focus (Why Knowledge Matters, Knowledge-Rich Instruction, Instructional Coaching & Adult Learning, and School & Systems Leadership) span PreK-8, so early childhood educators are welcome to submit under whichever area best fits their session. For example, early vocabulary development or background knowledge-building would fall under Knowledge-Rich Instruction.

Does this conference focus specifically on background knowledge and coherent, sequential curriculum?
Yes. The Core Knowledge Conference is built around the idea that a coherent, cumulative, knowledge-building curriculum, where background knowledge compounds year over year, is central to closing opportunity gaps and strengthening literacy. Proposals grounded in this approach, including cognitive science and the science of learning, are especially welcome under the Why Knowledge Matters area of focus.

Can I submit more than one proposal?
Multiple submissions are welcome; each proposal is reviewed independently. You can submit a proposal here.

Can a proposal be co-presented by more than one person?
Yes, sessions can be co-presented. You’ll identify all presenters as part of the submission.

Do presenters receive complimentary or discounted conference registration?
Registration details for accepted presenters are still being finalized. This will be shared as part of the presenter notification process in November 2026.

Are travel and lodging expenses covered for speakers?
This is still being finalized. Contact conference@coreknowledge.org if you have questions ahead of submitting.

How are proposals reviewed and selected?
Proposals are reviewed against the strength of the idea-to-implementation connection, evidence or experience behind the session, audience fit, and level of engagement offered to participants. We are also looking for a spread of topics. Spots are limited and competition is strong. Decisions go out by the end of 2026.

Will conference sessions be recorded, and can I share my materials afterward?
Recording and materials-sharing policies are still being finalized. Presenters will receive full guidelines after acceptance.

Can educators from outside the United States submit a proposal?
Yes. As the conference grows its international community, presenters from outside the U.S. are welcome to submit alongside the broader U.S.-based audience.

Do I need to register for the conference separately if I’m presenting?
Registration logistics for presenters are still being finalized and will be included in acceptance guidelines sent in November 2026.

What if my proposal isn’t accepted can I still attend?
Yes. Anyone can attend the conference regardless of whether their proposal was accepted; registration opens separately from the Call for Proposals.

Is presenting a paid opportunity?
Presenting is a volunteer contribution to the professional community, in the spirit of educators sharing practice with peers, rather than a paid speaking engagement. Contact conference@coreknowledge.org with specific questions.

Where do I go to submit a proposal for the 2027 Core Knowledge Conference?
All speaker proposals can be submitted through the online form.

I care about knowledge-building, background knowledge, and coherent curriculum implementation – is this conference for me?
If your work touches cognitive science, the science of learning, knowledge-rich curriculum, or coherent K-8 implementation, whether in early childhood, elementary, or systems leadership, this conference is built around exactly that community.