Knowledge Matters Review Tool
A Guide for Evaluating K-8 ELA Curriculum
Designed by literacy experts for evaluating K-8 ELA curriculum, the Knowledge Matters Review Tool is a resource to determine if an ELA curriculum is truly “content-rich” and aligned to research on reading comprehension, detailed in the companion Research Compendium.
About the Knowledge Matters Review Tool
We’ve developed the Knowledge Matters Review Tool to help educators understand how key research insights and practices should be translated into curriculum design for K-8 ELA. It is intended for use by states, districts, and schools when evaluating ELA curriculum.
The Review Tool is designed to be used in addition to, not instead of, other instruments to ensure that “knowledge building,” and by extension reading comprehension, is appropriately addressed.
Our team of experts has identified 26 separate criteria across eight dimensions of high-quality, content-rich ELA curriculum. The more evidence these criteria are present in a curriculum, the better.
The companion Research Compendium details the research behind each of the criteria in the Review Tool.
About Us
The Knowledge Matters Review Tool is published by the Knowledge Matters Campaign, the advocacy arm of Knowledge Matters.
We provide free, research-based tools and learning opportunities for the field, including our Review Tools and Curriculum Directory, podcasts, webinars, and sponsorship of the Curriculum Matters Professional Learning Network (PLN).
Our work is informed by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee of leading experts in cognitive science, education research, and public policy and builds on more than three decades of field-leading expertise by StandardsWork, the parent organization of Knowledge Matters.
Our work is made possible through the generosity of donors who believe in improving instruction and expanding access to evidence-based, knowledge-rich learning. That support helps us continue to provide free tools, resources, and learning opportunities to the field.