Writing Program Initiatives
Merced Reads: Patterned on the highly successful Monterey County Reads program, Merced Reads will offer after-school reading programs for elementary school children, many of whom remain after hours for day-care while their parents work. It will also initiate writing contests for children who have read (or listened to) children's literary texts.
Teaching and Technology Common Interest Group: Supported by an external grant, we have an opportunity to research curriculum development, learning communities, and e-portfolios. This Common Interest Group (CIG), including UC Merced, Merced College and West Hills Community College, focuses on the subject of teaching and technology in developmental writing classes. By sharing and discussing course standards in an online CIG, we will identify common teaching goals and aim to establish a core set of learning outcomes with corresponding evaluation standards for developmental writing curriculum.
The UC Merced Writing Project: A collaborative program of the university and Merced County school districts, the UCMWP is dedicated to improving writing and the teaching of writing at all grade levels and in all disciplines. It is a growing network of teachers who conduct professional development programs for teachers and administrators, and engage in their own professional development through continued reading, writing, and research.