For decades, the Science of Reading has shown how children learn to read. The research is clear: reading is not a natural process. It must be explicitly taught with systematic instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, morphology, and comprehension.
Long before the term became a national movement, Core Knowledge Language Arts® (CKLA) was built on this science.
Built on Research from the Start
- Development began in 2010
- Multiple pilot phases with schools nationwide
- Full first edition released in 2014
CKLA was one of the first comprehensive curricula explicitly created from the findings of the Science of Reading—making it a true leader in the movement.
What Sets CKLA Apart
1. Systematic Phonics
The Skills Strand provides daily, sequenced phonics lessons starting in Kindergarten. Students learn to decode step by step, aligned with decades of research.
2. Morphology Matters
Older students dive into roots, prefixes, and suffixes to unlock vocabulary and confidently tackle complex texts.
3. Building Knowledge for Comprehension
Starting in Kindergarten, the Knowledge Strand immerses students in history, science, literature, and the arts. Research shows that this background knowledge is critical for comprehension.
4. Oral Language and Writing
From early read-aloud discussions to daily writing tied to content, CKLA reinforces the connection between speaking, reading, and writing.
The Simple View of Reading in Action
Reading requires both:
- Word Recognition → phonics, decoding, spelling, fluency
- Language Comprehension → vocabulary, knowledge, oral understanding
CKLA is unique in systematically addressing both sides of this equation.
Why It Matters
As schools across the country embrace the Science of Reading, CKLA stands out as a program leading the way for more than a decade.
- Research-based
- Classroom-proven
- Comprehensive and coherent
CKLA doesn’t just align with the Science of Reading—it embodies it.
CKLA was one of the first Science of Reading curricula. Today, it remains one of the strongest.
It equips teachers.
It empowers students.
It delivers results.