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.

Summer/Fall 2020 ERWC Training Dates (ALL Virtual)

Please see our at-a-glance flyer or the dates below for our upcoming Region IV training dates. Note that:

• Trainings are now offered as "weeks," where the first day of the week will include a synchronous (live video) learning session, and the rest of the week will be devoted to asynchronous, self-paced online learning and production.
• Participants may register for any regional training, regardless of the county office or CSU that is hosting.
• We recommend that school sites/districts all register for the same training so that they can be part of the same online learning cohort.
• Introductory courses are for educators who have not been previously trained in ERWC and therefore need to be certified.
• Update courses are for educators who have previously been trained in ERWC but need to become certified in version 3.0 (which was released in 2019).

Introductory Course (hosted by CSUM)

Register here; registration closes on July 24, 2020 at 12:00 p.m.

Week 1: July 29-August 4, 2020
Week 2: August 5-12, 2020
Week 3: September 10-17, 2020
Week 4: October 15-22, 2020

Introductory Course (hosted by SMCOE)

Register here; registration closes on September 7, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Week 1: September 14-17, 2020
Week 2: September 21-24, 2020
Week 3: October 19-22, 2020
Week 4: October 26-29, 2020

Update Course (hosted by CSUM)

Register here; registration closes on July 28, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Week 1: July 28-August 2, 2020
Week 2: August 3-10, 2020

Update Course (hosted by ACOE)

Register here; registration closes on July 28, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Week 1: August 4-11, 2020
Week 2: October 8-15, 2020

Update Course (hosted by ACOE)

Register here; registration closes on September 8, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Week 1: September 15-22, 2020
Week 2: October 27-November 3, 2020

Update Course (hosted by SMCOE)

Register here; registration closes on October 26, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

Week 1: November 2-5, 2020
Week 2: November 9-12, 2020

In addition, the CSU hosted summer webinars to assist ERWC teachers in offering the course virtually. View a video on how to access new materials here; then view the recorded webinars here.

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