Expository Reading and Writing Course (ERWC)

ERWC is a curriculum written by CSU faculty, high school teachers, and school administrators to better prepare twelfth grade students for the rigor of college writing. It focuses on rhetorical writing strategies with a focus on expository texts and authentic writing tasks. (For more information, click here).

In an effort to support the greater Bay Area in preparing students for college, the Alameda County Office of Education proudly serves as the Region IV ERWC lead. We support seven counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano, San Francisco, and San Mateo in certifying 12th grade teachers to teach this course, as well as all other secondary-level teachers in implementing modules that are aligned to ERWC. We also offer trainings for teachers who would like a refresher and updates on the curriculum.

Update

ERWC 2.0 was officially archived on September 1, 2021. This means that the readings are no longer available (online or in print) and the modules are no longer updated. The expectation is that all ERWC teachers will have transitioned to ERWC 3.0 in their classrooms.

ERWC 3.0 has many more choices for teachers, many more opportunities to engage with different genres, the ability to adopt both at the 11th and 12th grade levels, and various ways to meet the Common Core State Standards. All 3.0 modules are enhanced with universal design for learning, inquiry-based approaches, support for emergent bilinguals, assets-based and culturally- and linguistically-sustaining pedagogies, and more! Also, some 2.0 modules have been updated and enhanced and now appear in 3.0.

Please reach out if you have any questions, and make sure to sign up for an Update Course to be trained in ERWC 3.0!

Summer/Fall 2022 Dates for ERWC Introductory Training & 3.0 Update Course

This flyer lists our offerings for summer/fall 2022. All courses will be virtual and open to the entire region. Please check back after May 27 for course registration links. If you would like to join our mailing list for regional ERWC information, please complete this form or email Rebecca Vester at rvester@acoe.org.

Learn More About ERWC

Check out ERWC's past webinar and podcast recordings.

Mini Module Reader Now Available for Purchase

Visit this website to order your copies of the mini module reader; 20 copies minimum per order.

Wondering how the Expository Reading and Writing Course helps 12th graders in their first year at a CSU?

• View the California State University's Academic Preparation: Maximizing Student Success booklet to learn about first-year course placement and the Early Start Program
• View the Office of the Chancellor's Academic Preparation for Success presentation on CSU policy changes
• View CSU East Bay's Freshman Placement Pathways presentation to understand the application of these policy changes at the local level
  
  

How Many ERWC Modules Should I Teach in One Academic Year?

• Our University of California Office of the President-approved course description requires 5-6 full modules and 5 mini modules (2 portfolio modules and 3 concept/skill minis). Please see the course overview on page 1 of the course description.