About AVID

About AVID

 

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It's a college readiness system that prepares students in kindergarten through 12th grade for college eligibility and success. Some colleges and universities have also implemented AVID to help their students. Since it began in 1980 in California, AVID has been adopted by more than 4,800 schools and 41 institutions of higher education in 45 states and 16 countries, providing training for more than 30,000 educators each year and making a difference in the lives of more than 700,000 students.

 

AVID is for all students but targets those in the academic middle and who are usually under-served. Its systematic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase school-wide/district-wide learning and performance. AVID is not a remedial, niche or college outreach program. It is not a free ride nor is it a study hall. Students must learn and apply the skills they are taught in their AVID elective class as well as do the academically rigorous work required.

 

Further information can be found at www.avid.org

 

The Mission of AVID

 

"AVID's mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society." 

 

AVID is designed to ensure all students, especially the least served students who are in the academic middle to:

  • Succeed in a rigorous curriculum
  • Complete a rigorous college preparatory path
  • Enter mainstream activities of the school
  • Enroll in college
  • Become educated and responsible participants and leaders in their communities and our society

  

AVID at a Glance 

 

AVID is designed to help students prepare for and succeed in high school and college. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college. AVID offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills. AVID teaches students how to study, read for content, take notes, organize, and manage time. Students participate in collaborative study groups, or tutorials, led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding. Upon acceptance into AVID, students must enroll in at least one AP or Honors level course. AVID is an A-G Elective class that meets during the regular school day.

 

 

What is AVID?

 

  • AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
  • AVID is an in-school academic support program that prepares students for college eligibility and success.
  • AVID places academically average students in advanced classes. These students have the potential for Pre-AP, AP (Advanced Placement) and honors work but need to develop the skills needed to be successful in rigorous courses.
  • AVID combines rigor with the necessary support that includes the student's individual determination and the support of teachers, other AVID students, their families, and AVID tutors.
  • AVID is for ALL students but targets those in the academic middle and upper-middle without a college-going tradition in their families.
  • AVID is implemented school-wide and district-wide.

 

Some Requirements to be Accepted into AVID

  • Average GPA
  • Individually Determined! Must be a hard worker, have a positive attitude and work collaboratively with others
  • Must be able to complete four-year university requirements prior to graduation
  • Typically underrepresented in colleges and four-year universities
  • Must take at least one Pre-AP, AP or honors course while in AVID

 

 

What AVID Is Not!

  • AVID is NOT for students who are unwilling to study, don't do any of their homework, and/or have failing grades. AVID is designed to support students who would otherwise not attend or graduate from a four-year college or university.
  • AVID is NOT a niche, at risk, behavioral, or remedial program.
  • AVID is NOT a free ride.
  • AVID is NOT a college outreach program.
  • AVID is NOT for unmotivated students. They must have an individual determination to succeed. 

 

 

Academic Benefits of AVID

 

AVID Students benefit academically from:

  • Curricular support
  • Rigorous support class
  • Structured tutorials
  • Redefined academic peer groups
  • Emphasis on study skills, organization, goal setting, time management—connected to academics and accountability
  • Interpersonal skills acquired to be self-advocates

 

 Identifying an AVID Student

 

AVID students are students in the academic middle, capable of completing a college preparatory path with support. These students often do not realize their full potential academically. In the identification and selection process, a number of criteria are considered, including: 

  • State Test Scores
  • Grades
  • Citizenship
  • Attendance
  • Desire and Determination
  • First in Family to Attend College
  • Historically Underrepresented in 4-year Colleges
  • Economically Disadvantaged
  • Other Special Circumstances

    **Students participating in special education, gifted and talented programs, and ELL will be considered for AVID based on the criteria listed above. Currently, there are a number of students from these groups successfully participating in the AVID program. 

  

Once Selected for AVID, What are the Student Requirements?

 

AVID students MUST:

  • Attend an AVID elective class appropriate to their grade level.
  • Enroll in one or more advanced academic classes (Pre-AP or AP at the High School level and honors classes at the Middle Level) each semester.
  • Maintain satisfactory conduct and attendance in all classes.
  • Maintain 75% or above in ALL of their academic classes.
  • Maintain the AVID binder with assignment/grade record sheets and daily notes in all classes.
  • Complete all homework assignments and commit to studying every night.

 

The 11 AVID Essentials of AVID

 

These are the key elements of AVID's success: 

  1. AVID student selection
  2. Voluntary participation
  3. AVID elective class offered during the school day
  4. A rigorous course of study
  5. Strong, relevant writing and reading curriculum 
  6. Inquiry to promote critical thinking
  7. Collaboration as a basis of instruction
  8. Trained tutors
  9. Data collection and analysis
  10. District and school commitment
  11. Active, interdisciplinary site teams 

 

Why AVID Works 

  • Places AVID students in a rigorous curriculum pathway and gives them the support to achieve
  • Provides a team of students for positive peer identification
  • Redefines the teacher’s role as that of student advocate
  • Transforms schools by creating a college-going culture throughout an entire school, impacting all students.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES