Quickstart

Get started with Knowledge Graph: use the REST API or MCP server, or download JSONL data files for local querying.

Using Knowledge Graph

You can access Knowledge Graph data in several ways:

• Local files
• REST API
• MCP server
• Claude connector

Each access method has their own unique use cases and benefits.

Steps

Local files

Query the Knowledge Graph for the educational data you’re interested in.

1. Download the Knowledge Graph JSONL files

   See download options.

2. Install jq

   Install jq ↗, a lightweight command-line JSON processor.

3. Query the JSONL files

   Query your downloaded files for the data you’re interested in.

   e.g., To get Common Core Math Standards, filter for nodes with a StandardsFrameworkItem label, a Multi-State jurisdiction (Common Core), and a Mathematics academic subject:

   jq -c 'select((.labels | contains(["StandardsFrameworkItem"])) and .properties.jurisdiction == "Multi-State" and .properties.academicSubject == "Mathematics")' nodes.jsonl > common_core_math_standards.jsonl
   

REST API

Retrieve a list of Academic Standards for Multi-State Mathematics.

1. Generate your API key

   Sign up for the Learning Commons Platform ↗ to generate an API key and get your base API URL.

2. Get a standards framework UUID

   Send a request to the GET /standards-frameworks API endpoint to get the caseIdentifierUUID for Multi-State Mathematics.

   cURL

   curl -X GET \
     -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
     "https://api.learningcommons.org/knowledge-graph/v0/standards-frameworks?academicSubject=Mathematics&jurisdiction=Multi-State"
   

   Copy the caseIdentifierUUID from the response to use in the next step.

3. Retrieve Academic Standards

   Use the caseIdentifierUUID with the GET /academic-standards API endpoint to retrieve the individual standards for that framework.

   cURL

   curl -X GET \
     -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
     "https://api.learningcommons.org/knowledge-graph/v0/academic-standards?standardsFrameworkCaseIdentifierUUID=YOUR_UUID_FROM_STEP_1"
   

   Response

   {
     "data": [
       {
         "identifier": "e1755456-c533-5a84-891e-59725c0479e0",
         "caseIdentifierURI": "https://satchelcommons.com/ims/case/v1p0/CFItems/6b9bf846-d7cc-11e8-824f-0242ac160002",
         "caseIdentifierUUID": "6b9bf846-d7cc-11e8-824f-0242ac160002",
         "name": null,
         "statementCode": "3.NF.A.1",
         "description": "Understand a fraction $\\frac{1}{b}$ as the quantity formed by 1 part when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts; understand a fraction $\\frac{a}{b}$ as the quantity formed by a parts of size $\\frac{1}{b}$.",
         "statementType": "Standard",
         "normalizedStatementType": "Standard",
         "jurisdiction": "Multi-State",
         "academicSubject": "Mathematics",
         "gradeLevel": ["3"],
         "inLanguage": "en-US",
         "dateCreated": null,
         "dateModified": "2025-02-05",
         "notes": null,
         "author": "1EdTech",
         "provider": "Learning Commons",
         "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
         "attributionStatement": "Knowledge Graph is provided by Learning Commons under the CC BY-4.0 license. Learning Commons received state standards and written permission under CC BY-4.0 from 1EdTech."
       }
     ],
     "pagination": {
       "limit": 1,
       "nextCursor": "eyJpZGVudGlmaWVyIjogImUxNzU1NDU2LWM1MzMtNWE4NC04OTFlLTU5NzI1YzA0NzllMCJ9",
       "hasMore": true
     }
   }
   

MCP server

Ask about Academic Standards, Learning Components, or Learning Progressions.

1. Generate your API key

   Sign up for the Learning Commons Platform ↗ to generate an API key.

2. Choose an AI client

   Download an AI client that supports MCP (e.g., OpenAI with the Responses API).

3. Set up environment variables

   .env

   OPENAI_API_KEY=
   MCP_AUTH_KEY=
   MCP_SERVER_URL=https://kg.mcp.learningcommons.org/mcp
   
4. Connect to the MCP server

   Make a request to the MCP server with your question – e.g., “What are the learning components for California standard 4.OA.A.3?”

   Python

   import os
   import requests
   from dotenv import load_dotenv
   
   load_dotenv()
   
   response = requests.post(
       "https://api.openai.com/v1/responses",
       headers={
           "Content-Type": "application/json",
           "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.getenv('OPENAI_API_KEY')}",
       },
       json={
           "model": "gpt-4o",
           "tools": [
               {
                   "type": "mcp",
                   "server_label": "learning-commons-kg",
                   "server_url": os.getenv("MCP_SERVER_URL"),
                   "require_approval": "never",
                   "headers": {"x-api-key": os.getenv("MCP_AUTH_KEY")},
               }
           ],
           "input": "What are the learning components for California standard 4.OA.A.3?",
       },
   )
   
   print(response.json())
   

   If using an SDK, verify how to pass in the MCP authorization key for your client.

5. Review the response

   Your AI client will call Knowledge Graph MCP tools to return structured results (e.g., standard statements, Learning Components, etc.).

   Inspect mcp_call output entries for tool names, arguments, and results.

Claude connector

Get authoritative Academic Standards data when asking about a standard code.

1. Get Claude

   Sign up for a Claude ↗ account.

2. Enable the Claude connector

   Set up the Knowledge Graph integration in Claude ↗ from the Claude connector directory.

   
3. Ask about a standard

   Mention the grade level, state, and/or standard code (e.g., 5.NBT.A.2 or RL.4.1) that you are interested in:

   • “I’m a teacher in Iowa. Generate three project ideas that address W.3.4.”
   • “I am a 4th-grade teacher in California. A student is struggling with 4.OA.A.3. Which prior standards should I focus on?”

   Claude will use Knowledge Graph tools to look up the official statement, break Academic Standards into Learning Components, and trace Learning Progressions.

Next steps

API Reference

Explore other API endpoints to access Knowledge Graph data.

Claude connector

See more example prompts and how the connector works behind the scenes.

Entity and relationship reference

Understand the data models that make up the Knowledge Graph.

MCP server

See server URL, authentication, available tools, and full examples.

Tutorials

Follow step-by-step guides to build with the Knowledge Graph.