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

* Succeed in rigorous curriculum

* Complete a rigorous college preparatory path

* Enter mainstream activities of the school

* Enrollment in college

* Become educated and responsible participants and leaders in their communities and our society

 AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a systemic instructional support system for students all the way through higher education. The AVID College Readiness System is an elective course with transformational efforts focused on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading (WICOR). 

AVID TEACHERS

AVID trained educators teach students academic and social skills to help them develop the habits and behaviors needed to succeed in rigorous curriculum. The AVID College Readiness System is a catalyst for developing a school culture that closes the expectation and opportunity gaps many students face, and prepares all students for success in a global society.

TUTORIALS/AVID TUTORS

AVID tutorials use an inquiry process while they facilitate the groups' learning process to create deeper understandings of concepts covered in core content classes.  Small group tutorial sessions are held twice a week during the AVID elective class in an effort to develop skills necessary to become self-directed learners. During tutorials, the AVID elective class is divided into several tutorial groups. Under the direction and supervision of the AVID elective teacher, AVID-trained tutors facilitate the discussion and work at each group. AVID tutors are required to be trained in the program specific tutorial process.   .

AVID BINDER

Organization is an important skill in school, career and other aspects of daily life. The AVID binder is an organizational tool to help students maintain notes and school work in one place. Students are expected to maintain a binder, which has been provided to them along with all of the necessary items needed. They are expected to keep it organized using the AVID methods they have been taught.

Students will be evaluated on organization and whether they have all of their materials for every class in their binder. The binder will be evaluated weekly and taken as an assessment grade.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Our AVID parents/guardians are an important part of our AVID team. Parents are provided information and support through various means so they can encourage and support their children to succeed. In this manner, the learning doesn't stop at school at the end of the school day but continues at home. We communicate with our AVID parents/guardians regularly. Family events and other opportunities for parent involvement are also offered throughout the year.

AVID curriculum includes:

WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, reading) activities 

Strategies for success

College and careers

Oral language/public speaking

Note-taking/ Writing curriculum

Test preparation

Research

Philosophical chairs/Socratic seminars  

SOCRATIC SEMINAR

Socratic Seminar is one of many effective teaching strategies AVID uses. Socrates believed that enabling students to think for themselves was more important than filling their heads with "right answers." In the Socratic Seminar, participants seek deeper understanding of complex ideas through rigorously thoughtful dialogue. A Socratic Seminar fosters active learning as participants explore and evaluate the ideas, issues and values in a particular text. The skills that students develop through participation in a Socratic Seminar are critical for college success.

PHILOSOPHICAL CHAIRS

In theory, learning happens when students use critical thinking to resolve subsequent conflicts, which arise when presented with alternative perspectives, ideas or contradictions to what they have previously learned or believed.  “Philosophical Chairs” is a technique to allow students to critically think, verbally ponder and logically write their beliefs.

AVID tutorials include:

Collaborative study groups

Problem solving

Note-taking

Higher-level thinking questions

WICOR strategies

Reflection and evaluation

Motivational activities include:

Guest speakers

Field trips

Visits to colleges and universities  

Career fairs

College fairs 

Team building and leadership activities

Enrichment opportunities

Community involvement and service 

Other motivational activities that support AVID goals 

What AVID Is Not

* AVID is not an at risk program. It is a program designed to support students who would otherwise not attend a four-year university to attend and to graduate from a four-year school.

* AVID is not for students who don't do any of their homework.

* AVID is not for the consistently D or F student.

* AVID is not for unmotivated students. They must have individual determination.

The AVID Student Profile 

* In the academic middle with average GPA

* Average test scores 

* College potential with support

* Good attendance

* Good behavior in and out of the classroom 

* Has the desire and individual determination to work hard and succeed

* May be first generation in family to attend college

* Historically under-served in four-year colleges and universities

* Special circumstances 

* Demonstrates good citizenship

* Has good school attendance 

* Displays appropriate classroom behavior

* Able to work well with others

Being in AVID is voluntary. AVID students sign the AVID Student Agreement indicating their commitment to the program and to their success. The initial commitment is one year. Students are highly encouraged to continue in AVID as they progress through middle school and throughout high school. According to studies conducted by AVID, students experience the best results after being in the class for at least three years. AVID students usually choose to stay in AVID until they graduate from high school.