# UC Davis School of Education

The UC Davis School of Education is one of 10 schools and colleges at the University of California, Davis. It offers a wide range of academic and professional development programs.
In 2017–18, the School had 681 current students and more than 8,000 living alumni with degrees.
The School houses the following labs and centers: California Education Lab, Center for Applied Policy in Education, Center for Community & Citizen Science, Resourcing Excellence in Education, Sacramento Area Science Project, Transformative Justice in Education Center, and Wheelhouse: Center for Community College Leadership and Research.
The founding dean, after its reclassification from "division" to "school," was Harold Levine.

## About

Education on the Davis campus dates back to 1918, shortly after opening, with a training program to prepare teachers to provide instruction in raising crops and animals commercially. The School of Education was formed in 2002 as a reconstitution of a long-standing division within the College of Letters and Sciences.
Focus areas at the School of Education are aligned with the needs of the State of California: English learners; math, science and technology; neurodevelopment and education; literacy; and policy. Efforts in faculty hiring, program development and partnership building focus on those needs. The school is expanding its work with practicing educators through professional development programs and graduate degree programs designed especially for veteran educators. As part of a land-grant university, the School has a role in training teachers and education leaders, providing policy analysis and recommendations, conducting research to improve instruction, and increasing the public's awareness and knowledge of education issues.
Youth Programs
The UC Davis School of Education administers several programs aimed at preparing K-12 students for postsecondary opportunities. These federally funded initiatives serve middle and high school students across multiple counties, including Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Tehama, and Yolo. Key programs include:
* Educational Talent Search: Provides academic advising, enrichment, and motivational activities to help students prepare for college.
* GEAR UP: Offers resources and guidance to increase college readiness among underserved students.
* Upward Bound: Supports students in achieving their academic and career goals through tutoring, mentoring, and college preparation workshops.
Source: UC Davis School of Education, Youth Programs

### Words Take Wing: Honoring Diversity in Children’s Literature

Since 2005, the annual Words Take Wing celebration has reached more than 19,000 Sacramento-area schoolchildren. The program highlights the contributions of acclaimed authors and illustrators of diverse children's literature, emphasizing Native American heritage, Asian culture, African American culture, and Latino identity. This event promotes multicultural understanding and inspires young readers by exploring various worldviews and perspectives.
Source: UC Davis School of Education, Words Take Wing

### Young Scholars Program

The UC Davis Young Scholars Program is a prestigious summer residential research program designed for high-achieving high school students. Participants are immersed in original research in biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences. Each year, approximately 40 students are selected for this program, gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from leading researchers.
Source: UC Davis School of Education, Young Scholars Program

### Citizen and Community Science Initiatives

The Youth-focused Citizen and Community Science (YCCS) initiative enables young people to engage in authentic scientific research by contributing to data collection, analysis, and dissemination of findings. The program emphasizes experiential learning and has been the focus of research to identify best practices for fostering scientific inquiry and engagement among youth.
Source: UC Davis School of Education, Center for Community and Citizen Science

### Impact and Community Outreach

The UC Davis School of Education actively collaborates with local communities, schools, and organizations to drive positive change in education. Through its partnerships and outreach initiatives, it seeks to address pressing educational challenges and promote inclusive opportunities for all students.
Source: UC Davis School of Education

## See Also

Daviswiki