2. Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID): Preparing a Diverse Group of Students for AP Success
A College Board Southwestern Regional Meeting Pre-conference Session
Presented by
Dr. Charles Powell, The University of Texas at Austin
and
Dr. Karen M. Watt, The University of Texas Pan American

3. What is AVID? Support structure for students in the “middle”:
AVID is an academic elective.
AVID students enroll in an intensive of courses
Students learn explicit skills for success in these more rigorous courses.
Trained college tutors lead group tutorials in core subject areas.

4. What is AVID? Professional development support for educators
AVID site team attends week-long Summer Institute
Site team coordinates implementation of AVID on the campus
District director receives two years of intensive training on coordinating the program
AVID schools go through guided self-review via the AVID certification process

5. Why AVID Works
Places low-achieving students in rigorous curriculum and gives them the support to achieve therein
Provides the explicit “hidden curriculum” of schools
Constructing School Success: The Consequences
of Untracking Low Achieving Students, Mehan et al, 1996

6. Why AVID Works
Provides a team of students for positive peer identification
Redefines teacher’s role as that of student advocate
Constructing School Success:
The Consequences of Untracking
Low Achieving Students, Mehan et al, 1996

7. Why AVID Works
Focuses on academic success of low-achieving students as a school-wide issue, with significant portions of the school culture mobilized toward their success
Constructing School Success:
The Consequences of Untracking
Low Achieving Students, Mehan et al, 1996

8. The (11) AVID Essentials Selection (of students)
Participation (of students and staff)
Scheduling (school commitment)
Rigor (advanced courses)
Writing (strong, relevant writing curriculum)
Inquiry (basis of instruction)
Collaboration (basis of instruction) & Reading
Tutorials (college tutors)
Data (collected and analyzed)
Resources (school is committed to ongoing staff development)
Site Team (interdisciplinary)

9. Essential 1. Student Selection: The AVID Student Profile
2.0 – 3.5 Grade Averages in Regular Classes
College Potential with Support
Test Scores Are Passing or Borderline
Desire and Determination
Low SES
Historically Under-represented in Pre-AP®, AP™, and College Enrollment
First in Family to Attend College
S-1

10. Essential 2: Participation
Students must be willing to participate. All AVID candidates are interviewed. Parents and students must sign an AVID contract.
School Administrator must be willing to participate and financially support AVID.
Site team members must agree to participate and be willing to be advocates for AVID students. Site team members are campus leaders.

11. Essential 3: Scheduling
The AVID elective class is scheduled during the regular school day.
AVID students are scheduled into rigorous courses.
AVID site team counselor is an advocate for AVID students.
Experienced AVID campuses have multiple sections of AVID
Guiding Questions to Scheduling AVID Handout

12. The AVID Elective Course
Grades 6-12 with grade-specific curriculum
Required for all AVID students
Taught by trained AVID teacher
AVID materials support (“AVID Libraries”)
Course provides students with skills to help them succeed in college-preparatory classes
Tutoring takes place at least 2X weekly in AVID class

13. A SAMPLE WEEK IN THE AVID ELECTIVE *
Daily or Block
Schedule
Monday T u e s d a y W e d n e s d a y
Thursday
Friday
Binder Evaluation
Avid Curriculum
Tutorials
Avid Curriculum
Tutorials
Field Trips
Media Center
*Combination
*Combination
Speakers
for
for
Motivational
Block Schedule
Block Schedule
Activities
*(within block)
AVID Curriculum includes:
AVID Tutorials •
Writing Curriculum •
Collaborative Study Groups •
College and Careers •
Writing Groups •
Strategies for Success •
Socratic Seminars

14. Essential 4: Rigor
AVID students must be scheduled into rigorous courses (sequence leading to AP enrollment).
Rigor is often defined by the campus (pre-AP, accelerated, etc.).
AVID students are expected to graduate on the Recommended Plan or higher

15. Essentials 5-7: WICR Strategies
Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, & Reading
Writing: - Cornell Notes
- Learning Logs
- Writing to Learn
Inquiry: - Skillful, Open-Ended Questioning
- High-level Questioning Techniques
- Socratic Seminars
Collaboration
- Study Groups
- Collaborative Activities
- Tutoring
Reading

16. Class Notes Topic (Cornell Style) Questions, Subtitles, Headings, Etc.
First & Last Name
Class Title
Period
Date
Questions,
Subtitles,
Headings,
Etc.
Class Notes
(Cornell Style)
2 1/2”
A 3 to 4 sentence summary across
the bottom, in the Summary section.

17. Sample Cornell Notes:
9th grade Biology

18. Sample Cornell Notes:
Physics

19. Sample Cornell
Notes:
Mathematics

20. Costa’s Levels of Questioning (Inquiry)
Level One: Define, describe, identify, list, name, observe, recite, scan
Level Two: analyze, compare, contrast, group, infer, sequence, synthesize
Level Three: apply a principle, evaluate, hypothesize, imagine, judge, predict, speculate

21. Collaboration Collaborative Grouping:
AVID Students work in collaborative groups to problem solve.
Individual accountability
Positive interdependence
Shared leadership
Responsibility for one another
Social skills necessary for task completion
Teacher/tutor observes and intervenes

22. Essential 8: Inquiry-Based Tutoring
Subject-specific tutoring takes place during AVID elective class two days per week
Tutors are generally college students
Tutors receive training in inquiry process
Tutors provide additional instructional support as well as serve as role models

23. Tutorial Sessions
Focus on long-term learning rather than on immediate completion of homework
Students bring specific problems and questions to sessions (level 2 and level 3)
Atmosphere is non-threatening and safe for questioning
Multi-level students are given ways to work together
Students are directed toward writing in all subject areas
Sessions conclude with an informal writing (reflection) of what was learned, covered or accomplished
Tutorial Handouts

24. Sample Tutorial
Request Form

25. Binder Organization
Purpose: to assist student in improving his/her organizational skills
Binder includes class notes and materials from all subjects, calendars, assignments logs and tutorial logs
Binder is graded once a week by the tutors
Binder Organization Handouts

26. Assignment Log:
A Binder Requirement

27. Essential 9: Collecting and Analyzing AVID Student Data
AVID campus personnel collect student data and report to AVID Center
Data is used to increase student performance
Data is used to support funding continuation (campus, district, and beyond)
Data is used to expand and refine AVID programs
AVID Site Portfolio Handout
AVID Essentials in a Nutshell Handout

28. Essential 10: Resources
AVID administrators identify resources for program costs (CSRD or other funds; includes technical support, professional development, tutors, and college visits)
Commitment to implementation of the 11 essentials and certification process
Commitment to ongoing staff development (Summer Institute and local training)

29. Certification Focus is continuous improvement.
Based on AVID Essentials – identified through research.
Site teams perform a self review based on a common rubric used throughout the state.
Program receives additional external review to determine recommendations for strengths and improvement.

30. Professional Development
One-week summer institutes for AVID Site Team
Monthly AVID site-team meetings support collaboration as a key component of professional development.
AP equity and program evaluation
On-going program evaluation and research.
Administrator and teacher leadership development.

31. District Director Supports implementation throughout district
Receives four weeks of training over two years on details of supporting AVID
First two years of implementation supported by days from a trained consultant
Ongoing statewide network of district directors (phone, , and in person)

32. Essential 11: The AVID Site Team
Includes AVID Coordinator (often the AVID elective teacher)
Includes lead teachers in each foundation content area
Includes campus administrator (preferably the principal)
Includes counselor
Team meets at least monthly to help coordinate implementation of and support for the AVID program
Team works to increase faculty awareness about AVID methodologies and goals

33. AVID is All About… Rigor High Standards for All Students
College Preparation
Strategies that Work in Every Classroom
Academic and Social Support

34. Keys to AVID Implementation
Lead with a coordinator and an administrator who both believe in the goals of the program.
Clarify the goals of the program for school faculty and gain their input and support.
Select an interdisciplinary AVID site team.
Identify and commit resources for program costs.
Identify and recruit students.
Schedule class and students.
Recruit and hire tutors.
Site team attends Summer Institute.
Begin implementation of elective class.
NOTES:
C-32

36. Developed by