CERC's members represent 425,000 students, or 5 percent of California's school population. This innovative research, development, and training center combines the professional experience and practical wisdom of teachers and school administrators with the theoretical interests and research talents of UCR's School of Education faculty. Participating school districts and offices of education help set the research agenda for CERC researchers and School of Education faculty, who undertake research in areas that include strategic and operational planning, instructional program development and evaluation, school management and productivity improvement, and policy analysis and assessment. These mentorships run year-round and last a minimum of four months. High school juniors and seniors are selected based on academic record and references and are matched with UCR faculty based on the research topic selected by the student.
Research proposals can include ideas for science fair projects and private science competitions.
The Community Tutorial Program provides UCR students with paid positions tutoring in Riverside area schools. The Comprehensive Teacher Education Institute, working in collaboration with several area school districts, prepares prospective teachers through a variety of strategies, including daily seminars, guided field observations, team teaching and interdisciplinary opportunities. The institute's third aim is to encourage educational research by sponsoring a teacher research group in which teachers design and conduct classroom research projects with consultation from university faculty. Academic Preparation and Enrichment University Extension offers two-week summer sessions on science, math, writing, language, art, drama, and economics for students in grades three through seven. Students are admitted to UCR during their senior year and can begin their freshman year at UCR without having to go through the admissions process again.