1. The research and the story it tells
Apples to Apples:
The research and the story it tells
Lisa Meyer, AVID District Director
Dr. Steven Travis, Coordinator for Data Analysis
Deer Park Independent School District, Texas

2. AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. 2

3. One day we asked ourselves…
One day we asked ourselves…. What if we could compare AVID students to other students who are just like them; students who are demographically identical, but who are not in AVID?

4. We Tracked 2 Cohorts
We collected data on 2 cohorts from 8th to 12th grade
Cohort 1 was tracked from to
Cohort 2 was tracked from to
Our data analysis only included students who were:
Asked to join AVID in 8th grade
Enrolled in our district from 8th grade through 12th grade

5. AVID Recruitment: The Data-Driven Wide Net
75-95 Grade Average
Less than 10 absences
Less than 10 discipline referrals
Not already in PAP or GT classes
On track to graduate on a Texas Recommended Graduation Plan 5

6. Average demographics when students were offered to join AVID in 8th grade
Deer Park ISD At-A-Glance
District Enrollment = 12,468
8th Graders = 935
52.0% White
43.3% Hispanic
2.6% African American
39.5% Economically Disadvantaged
Average Enrollment over 2 years 6

7. Who were those 8th Graders?
Where We Started
Who were those 8th Graders? 7

8. 8th Grade Demographics
DISTRICT 2 YR AVG (12,468)
COHORT 1 and 2 (524)

9. 8th Grade Demographics
DISTRICT 2 YR AVG (12,467)
COHORT 1 and 2 (524)

10. AVID - Participation x Years

11. AVID - Participation x Years

12. Comparing AVID and Non-AVID
Definitions
Data referred to as “AVID,” pertains to students who were invited to be in AVID, accepted the invitation, and have been in AVID for all 4 years.
Data referred to as “Non-AVID” pertains to students who were invited to be in AVID, but who did not ever become part of our AVID elective classes. 12

13. Cohort 1 and 2 (524)
Accepted AVID Invitation (148) vs. Declined AVID Invitation (376)
8th Graders

14. The Demographic Split AVID Group / Accepted Invitation (148)
Non-AVID Group / Declined Invitation (376)
8th Graders

15. Socio-Economic Status
AVID Group / Accepted Invitation (148)
Non-AVID Group / Declined Invitation (376)
8th Graders

16. Where did we End up?

17. AVID vs. Non-AVID Average Discipline Referrals / Student
Neither in AVID

18. Average Discipline Referrals / Student Hispanic Students

19. Average Discipline Referrals / Student White Students

20. Average Discipline Referrals / Student Economically Disadvantaged Students

21. More Definitions
“TAKS” is the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. The results are used for AYP and state accountability systems.
“Met Standard” on TAKS means to have passed it and shown a sufficient understanding of the state curriculum.
“Commended” on TAKS means to have passed considerably above the passing standard, at a high level of academic achievement. 21

22. TAKS Math Commended Students who achieve commended performance:
Use multiple problem-solving strategies and logic to find reasonable solutions
Transfer math knowledge between abstract and concrete applications
Use connections among math concepts to make generalizations and apply them to new situations 22

23. TAKS – Math – Commended

24. TAKS – Math – Commended Hispanic Students

25. TAKS – Math – Commended White Students

26. TAKS – Math – Commended Economically Disadvantaged Students

27. TAKS Reading Commended: Grade 9
Students who achieve commended performance:
Can answer questions of varying levels of difficulty and support those answers with evidence from the text.
Can recognize similarities and differences across texts most of the time.
Read and comprehend more difficult texts independently 27

28. ELA Commended Grades: 10-11
Students who achieve commended performance:
Are able to draw insightful conclusions and make meaningful generalizations to develop a thorough understanding of a text
Are able to analyze ideas across texts most of the time
Develop ideas in depth and use organizational strategies that contribute to the effectiveness of a piece of writing
Produce writing that is engaging and authentic 28

29. TAKS – Reading – Commended

30. TAKS – Reading – Commended Hispanic Students

31. TAKS – Reading – Commended White Students

32. TAKS – Reading – Commended Economically Disadvantaged Students

33. Average GPA / Student
8th GPA – AVID = and Non-AVID = 88.05

34. Average GPA / Student Hispanic Students
8th GPA – AVID = and Non-AVID = 87.13

35. Average GPA / Student White Students
8th GPA – AVID = and Non-AVID = 88.77

36. Average GPA / Student Economically Disadvantaged Students
8th GPA – AVID = and Non-AVID = 87.19

37. % who took the PSAT in 9th Grade
AVID Group (120 out of 148 took)
Non-AVID Group (4 out of 376 took)
9th Graders

38. PSAT – 9th Graders – Scale Scores

39. % who took the PSAT in 10th Grade
10th Graders
AVID Group (101 out of 111 took)
Non-AVID Group (330 out of 377 took)

40. PSAT – 10th Graders – Scale Scores

41. % who took the PSAT in 11th Grade
11th Graders
AVID Group (73 out of 78 took)
Non-AVID Group (155 out of 371 took) 41

42. PSAT – 11th Graders – Scale Scores

43. % who took the SAT in 11th Grade
11th Graders
AVID Group (65 out of 78 took)
Non-AVID Group (29 out of 371 took)

44. SAT 11th Graders – Scale Scores
*First SAT score (if multiple attempts)

45. Average Advanced Academic Courses/Student
8th Grade Advanced Courses – none for both groups

46. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
1. How well do you feel Deer Park ISD has prepared you for post-graduate plans?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (112/211)
Extremely well prepared 47.8% 15.2%
82% %
Well prepared % 42.0%
Neither well nor poorly 13.0% 29.5%
Poorly prepared 0.0% 9.8%
Completely unprepared 4.3% 3.6% 46
Survey given at end of senior year, May 2013

47. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
2. What are your educational plans for the year following graduation?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (111/211)
Technical/vocational program 0.0% 8.1%
Two-year junior college 47.8% 55.9%
Four-year college/university 47.8% 27.0%
Postpone education 4.3% 4.5%
No plans further education/training 0.0% 4.5% 47

48. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
3. To how many colleges or universities have you applied?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (110/211)
None 4.3% 39.1%
One 4.3% 37.3%
Two 4.3% 14.5%
Three % 4.5%
Four or more 60.9% 4.5% 48

49. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
4. To how many colleges or universities have you been accepted?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (110/211)
None % 41.8%
One % 40.0%
Two % 12.7%
Three % 1.8%
Four or more 8.7% 3.6% 49

50. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
5. How many scholarships have you applied for?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (111/211)
None % 65.8%
One 0.0% 11.7%
Two 4.3% 8.1%
Three 8.7% 6.3%
Four or more 73.9% 8.1% 50

51. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
6. How many scholarship offers have you received?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (111/211)
None % 76.6%
One % 10.8%
Two % 9.0%
Three 8.7% 1.8%
Four or more 4.3% 1.8% 51

52. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
7. Have you completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
AVID (22/25) NON-AVID (106/211)
Yes % 38.7%
No % 61.3% 52

53. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
8. In ten years, what type of employment do you anticipate having?
AVID (22/25) NON-AVID (110/211)
None % 4.5%
Plant or manufacturing 4.5% 10.9%
Self-employed % 13.6%
Service industry % 2.7%
Professional field % 68.2% 53

54. Cohort 1 – Senior Survey
9. In ten years, approximately what salary do you anticipate earning?
AVID (23/25) NON-AVID (110/211)
Less than $20,000 / year 0.0% 4.5%
$20,000 to $40,000 / year 8.7% 8.2%
$40,000 to $70,000 / year 47.8% 30.0%
$70,000 to $100,000 / year 17.4% 27.3%
Over $100,000 / year 26.1% 30.0% 54

55. What’s Next? Complete the data report for the cohort’s senior year
Other data as seems appropriate 55

56. The AVID Experience…
In their own words

57. Contact Information
Lisa L. Meyer
Director of Social Studies and Advanced Academic Programs
Dr. Steven Travis
Coordinator for Data Analysis
Deer Park ISD website: 57