In The Know
A new column exploring the science of learning and the importance of background knowledge.
Media
Statement
Statement from the Knowledge Matters Campaign Scientific Advisory Committee
Model language for the next generation of state reading legislation.
03/28/2024
Column
Beyond the Word Wall: Building Knowledge Transfer Over Time to Accelerate Student Learning
Revisiting Jimmy Kim’s important study demonstrating “transfer effect” from science and history learning.
02/26/2024
Column
Knowledge-Rich Curricula Advance in a Remarkable Adoption Season
Wisconsin offers a model for curriculum evaluation.
02/18/2024
Column
A Tipping Point for Knowledge
We close the year with much to celebrate – and a preview of the work ahead in 2024.
12/15/2023
Column
The 74: Championing High-Quality Literacy Instruction: Inside Knowledge Matters’ New Curriculum Review Tool
By Barbara Davidson
11/01/2023
Column
Education Week: New Tool to Evaluate Reading Programs for ‘Knowledge-Building’
By Sarah Schwartz
11/01/2023
Column
The Baltimore Banner: Commentary: Interim superintendent brings opportunity to raise student performance
By Barbara Davidson
10/15/2023
Podcast
Ep. 6, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Think what a better society we’ll have”
American education has a number of serious problems–and our failure to start building kids' knowledge early is a fundamental one.
07/26/2023
Podcast
Ep. 5, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Everything was in silos”
Students need a curriculum that builds knowledge, and only a leader can put that kind of system in place.
07/19/2023
Podcast
Ep. 4, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Now they had something to write about”
Knowledge-building curricula boost both writing ability and learning in general.
07/12/2023
Podcast
Ep. 3, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “That cloud looks like an anvil”
When their schools adopted knowledge-building curricula they were skeptical, but the dramatic results helped change their minds.
07/05/2023
Podcast
Ep. 1, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “Kids were bored to death”
Despite substantial investments in education reform, the US remains in the grip of a decades-long reading crisis.
06/28/2023
Podcast
Ep. 2, Reading Comprehension Revisited: “A simple way of looking at a complex problem”
There’s far more to reading than decoding, and more we need to do to help our kids become truly literate.
06/28/2023
Column
Scaling the “Dinosaur Effect”: Topic vs. Theme in Elementary Classrooms
How does this happen? It turns out research has an answer.
06/14/2023
Column
School-Wide Efforts to Build Knowledge Over Time Matter for Later Reading Achievement
Grissmer studied knowledge-building across subjects for a period of several years.
04/17/2023
Column
Integrating Science and Literacy from the Start of School
Opportunities for science learning can enhance opportunities for literacy learning beginning in kindergarten.
04/04/2023
Column
Ten Practical Recommendations for Educators from Our Scientific Advisory Committee
Our Scientific Advisory Committee, comprises fourteen of the country’s leading education researchers, debuted a new series.
03/24/2023
Column
After Twenty Years, Will Educators Finally Be In The Know About Knowledge?
Today, we debut a new column, In The Know. It will serve as a platform for sharing the latest research on the role of knowledge.
02/06/2023
Podcast
Melissa and Lori Love Literacy Podcast featuring Barbara Davidson
Episode 139: Knowledge and Comprehension with Daniel Willingham and Barbara Davidson
01/14/2023
Statement
Statement from the Knowledge Matters Campaign Scientific Advisory Committee
Calling on the movement for evidence-based reading instruction to elevate the role of background knowledge.
08/15/2022