AVID Elective Overview AVID at a Glance

What AVID is… AVID is an acronym that stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. AVID is an in-school academic support program for grades 4-12 that prepares students for college eligibility and success. AVID places academically average students in advanced classes. AVID levels the playing field for minority, rural, low-income, and other students without a college-going tradition in their families. AVID is for ALL students, but it targets those in the academic middle. AVID is implemented school wide and district wide.

What AVID isn’t… AVID isn’t a remedial program. AVID isn’t a free ride. AVID isn’t a niche program. AVID isn’t a college outreach program. 3

The Mission of AVID The mission of AVID is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle: will succeed in rigorous curriculum, will complete a rigorous college preparatory path, will enter mainstream activities of the school, will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society. AVID’s systemic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase school wide/district wide leading and performance.

The Purpose of AVID The purpose of the AVID program is to restructure the teaching methods of an entire school and to open access to the curricula that will ensure four-year college eligibility to almost all students.

The AVID Student Profile Students With Academic Potential Average to high test scores 2.0-3.5 GPA College potential with support Desire and determination Meets One or More of the Following Criteria First to attend college Historically underserved in four-year colleges Low income Special circumstances

Sample Week in the AVID Elective AVID Curriculum includes: Strategies for Success College and Careers Writing Curriculum Oral language/public speaking Note-taking practice Test preparation Research WICR activities AVID Tutorials include: Collaborative study groups Problem solving Note-taking Higher-level thinking questions WICR strategies Reflection and evaluation Motivational Activities include: Speakers Field trips Philosophical chairs/Socratic Seminar Team building Media Center/Career Center Other motivational activities that support AVID goals

Writing Curriculum Writing to Learn Writing Process Focus Lessons Timed Writing

Inquiry Method Engage in skillful questioning Higher level thinking Respectful dialogue

Collaboration Students ask, explore and answer questions. Students are listeners, thinkers, speakers, and writers. Students discover ideas and remember because they are actively involved. Teacher becomes a coach, guiding students in their learning.

Tutorials: Purpose Create deeper understanding of concepts covered in core content classes. Develop skills necessary to become self-directed learners. It's not just homework help! Process To push each other's thinking. AVID tutorials utilize an inquiry process. Tutors do not give answers; they facilitate the group's discovery with critical questions. Students reflect on their learning.

Reading to Learn Connect to prior knowledge Understand text structure Use text-processing strategies (during and after reading)

AVID: Collaborative Support for Success of Underserved Students Colleges and Universities AVID Support Staff Community AVID Coordinator (AVID Elective Teacher) Parents Student Administration Tutors Subject Area Teachers Counselors