Verona Core Knowledge Charter School (CKCS)d in August
of 1996. Located within the Verona Area School District, CKCS is an
option, at no additional cost, to parents of all students in grades K-8.
It is designed around the idea that children will maximize their educational
success in an environment that features teacher-directed instruction, proven
research-based teaching methods and materials, and academically challenging
content.
CKCS offers a traditional approach to education with very
specific content and structured teaching methods. It weaves in many
contemporary techniques such as integrated subjects and hands-on learning.
Academic excellence, in the form of both knowledge and skills, is the driving
force behind the school's philosophy.
The name comes from the curriculum the school uses. This curriculum
focuses on core academics and covers a wide variety of content in history,
geography, science, art, literature, computer skills, music, math and language
arts.
In 1987, University of Virginia English professor E.D. Hirsch conducted
research for his book, Cultural Literacy. He found that students
are more successful in their studies when they work from a common base of both
facts and ideas. A literate society, he stressed, needs a strong
background of core knowledge that crosses generations and enable people to
communicate effectively. This holds true, Hirsch also noted, for all
levels of ability and all socioeconomic backgrounds.
The Core Knowledge Sequence is a detailed curriculum content guide for each
grade level. Created with the help of a large number of professionals, it
represents a consensus of diverse groups and interests. This curriculum is
the basis of Hirsch's series of books entitled What Your Kindergartner
(through Sixth Grader) Needs to Know.
Devised in the late 1960's, Direct Instruction is a teaching method based on
the belief that every child can learn when the instruction is appropriate, and
that the failure of a child to learn should point to a system failure, not the
child. As the name suggests, teachers actually direct the instruction in
their classrooms by modeling specific skills and strategies. Students
practice these skills and strategies, and then learn how to apply them in a wide
variety of situations. This is all accomplished using a broad base of
content. The ultimate goal of all instruction is independent application
of knowledge. The CKCS philosophy is that a student's self-esteem is a
product of his or her achievement in this process.
Students are given both annual standardized tests and
state-mandated tests. The results are used to evaluate the success of both
the curriculum and the teaching. Student success is measured by
performance on regular tests and quizzes which monitor mastery of subject matter
and skills. The students are also evaluated for work on daily assignments,
reports, journals and projects. Parents receive results of all these
measures along with quarterly report cards.
The Core Knowledge Sequence is based on the concept of cultural literacy, or
the shared knowledge that allows all members of a society to communicate
effectively. This philosophy suggests that a broad base of knowledge
promotes a common understanding in communications between generations, races and
political persuasions. Regardless of ability and socioeconomic background,
students are prepared to read, write, speak and listen in a literate society.
E.D. Hirsch, noted earlier for his extensive research on cultural literacy,
believes that an economically effective and socially just society must be built
on an education system that provides all children with the same foundational
knowledge. CKCS teachers and administrators believe that such a system
balances the advantages for children who have different abilities and who come
from different backgrounds.
Verona
Area Core Knowledge® Charter School
