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Building knowledge and community

We are a nonprofit working for educational excellence and equity built on strong foundations of shared knowledge.
Child Studying at Her Desk Our Mission We work for educational excellence and equity for all children in America’s schools.
Student Smiling During Class Our Approach We offer detailed guidance and resources to support knowledge-based schooling.
Children Reading a Core Knowledge Book Our Curriculum We publish content-rich materials for students and teachers, many available at no cost.
Children Studying in Class BROWSE OUR Free Teaching Materials
Teacher Helping Children Learn to Read EXPLORE THE Core Knowledge Store

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Free Shared Knowledge: To Renew a Nation Free Resource In this book, the term “Cultural Literacy” is re-labeled shared “Background Knowledge” (SBK) which is the term used in cognitive psychology. It is a more descriptive and neutral term. This silently shared topic knowledge is essential to... View
Free Grade 7 | Student Reader Volume 1: A History of the United States: Precolonial to the 1800s Free Resource CKHG Student Volume 1 offers engaging text and a rich selection of images. Some of the topics covered are: The Americas were inhabited by diverse indigenous peoples; the thirteen English colonies were established; Americans fought the British for... View
Free Grade 7 | Student Reader Volume 2: A History of the United States: Modern Times—Late 1800s to the 2000s Free Resource CKHG Student Volume 2 offers engaging text and a rich selection of images. Some of the topics covered are: The U.S. experienced economic, technological, scientific, and social changes in the 1900s; the U.S. supported the Allies in World War 1; the... View
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Only a well-rounded, knowledge-specific curriculum can impart needed knowledge to all children and overcome inequality of opportunity.

- E. D. Hirsch, Jr., Core Knowledge Foundation Chairman and Founder Why Knowledge Matters (2016) Read more writings by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. ›

Building Knowledge Podcast

The Core Knowledge team is excited to introduce you to our new podcast, Building Knowledge!

New episodes will be released each Tuesday, beginning March 22, 2022. Listen and subscribe on Spotify and iHeartRadio.

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You can also listen to episodes of Building Knowledge on Buzzsprout.

Read more about Building Knowledge Podcast

See Core Knowledge in Action

Meet teachers and students in real classrooms using our approach to build strong foundations of knowledge.

Success Stories ›