<p><strong>Title: Changing the Face of Education: A Behind-the-Scenes look at the Core Knowledge Foundation</strong></p>
<p><strong>Word Count: 1275 words  </strong></p>
<p><strong>Abstract:</strong></p>
<p>In 48 states across the US, and in Canada, Central America and the UK, over 500 schools are using curriculum materials from the Core Knowledge Foundation to educate children. Critics claim Core Knowledge leads to cookie cutter classrooms and rote learning, while advocates and several independent studies have found that Core Knowledge students achieve more and CK teachers are more motivated. What’s the real story behind Core Knowledge? Article includes insights from educators, parents, homeschoolers and a three year study from Johns Hopkins. </p>
<p><strong>Excerpt:</strong></p>
The Core Knowledge Foundation claims to know what your child needs to know. Educators in over 500 schools in the US, Canada, Central America and the UK have adopted the CK curriculum. What’s behind the Core Knowledge movement? And does it work?

	<p>An interview with Mr. Gerald Terrell, Sr., VP of Personnel and Development, in his Charlottesville, Virginia office provided an introduction to Core Knowledge. Education books were piled everywhere. “Think Different” posters and easel pad sheets covered the walls. “We’ve just returned from a strategic planning retreat,” he explained. Nearly twenty years after the non-profit, non-partisan organization was founded, “we’re continually evolving,” Terrell says.</p>

	<p>The Core Knowledge Foundation originated from the research of E. D. Hirsch, Jr., and his book: “Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know” (Houghton Mifflin, 1987). “To be culturally literate is to possess the basic information needed to thrive in the modern world,” explains the book’s Preface. “Literacy is more than a skill,” says Hirsch. “Being able to comprehend what you read and being able to learn something new depend on your sharing assumed knowledge with other educated people in your society.”</p>

	<p>“Broad shared knowledge . . . is the keystone of democracy and community.” (Hirsch, Common Knowledge, 2002) The Core Knowledge Foundation’s goal is to provide parents and teachers with specific, sequenced content to give children a common set of “broad shared knowledge” in the interest of equal opportunity for all children, regardless of socioeconomic or ethnic background.</p>

	<p>The Core Knowledge Sequence was developed through research in top performing elementary schools around the world… </p>