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Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. It also comes from the Latin word avidus, which means "eager for knowledge." It is a college preparatory program for students in the academic "middle." An amazing 95% of AVID students go on to enroll in college.

AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective class. The three main components of the program are:
  1. Academic instruction in reading and writing skills, study skills, time management, test-taking strategies and college board test (PSAT, SAT, ACT) preparation.
  2. Tutorial support which uses questioning rather than answer-giving to help students solve their own problems.
  3. Motivational activities to explore college and careers and college through guest speakers, study trips, individual and class projects, and technology.

AVID has been recognized by the Military Child Education Coalition and the Secondary Education Transfer Study (SETS) commissioned by the Dept. of the Army. In this study AVID is noted as an exemplary support that promotes high achievement and improves the quality of a students' educational experience. AVID was called a "program without borders." The curriculum is the same wherever students go and the strategies a student learns in AVID can be used in any academic setting. The AVID class serves as a "home base" during the school day. Students stay together in the AVID class for their entire time at a particular school.

How does AVID Work?

The goal of AVID is to educate the "whole student" toward meeting admission requirements to most four-year universities. It also creates a support system that addresses and mediates the issues that cause instability. This is achieved by unifying the following six elements.

  1. Students-AVID students are students in the academic middle capable of completing a college prep curricular path. AVID students must enroll in the most rigorous courses as well as the AVID elective class. 7th and 8th graders are expected to enroll in a high school credit foreign language course and/or algebra. 9th through 12th graders are expected to enroll in at least four academic courses each year in addition to enrolling in Honors English and an Advanced Placement (AP) course in the 11th-12th grade.
  2. The AVID curriculum-Middle and high school teachers in collaboration with college professors developed the AVID curriculum. The AVID curriculum is based on Writing to Learn, Strategies for Success, and College and Careers. The AVID elective class provides the necessary academic supports for students to be successful in rigorous courses.
  3. Tutors-Adult paid tutors facilitate student study groups within the AVID elective class. Tutors receive training in Socratic questioning techniques to guide students to finding the answers to their questions. They are role models and act as partners-in-learning with the AVID students.
  4. Faculty-The school AVID teacher/coordinator advocates for AVID students, works with teachers in all subject areas, and shares effective AVID teaching strategies for writing, inquiry, and collaboration.
  5. Parents-Encourage their child to achieve academically, attend AVID Parent/Family meetings, and maintain contact with the AVID teacher.
  6. Community-The community demonstrates support for the AVID program by providing guest speakers in the AVID class, supporting fund-raisers for trips and scholarships, accommodating job-site visitations, chaperoning AVID events and study trips, and publicizing the program within their community.
Qualifying students must have standardized test stanines in language and math between 5-7.
  • Have a DEROS date at one year hence (for first year AVID students only)
  • Have a GPA between 2.0-3.5
  • Have a good discipline and attendance record
  • Receive good teacher recommendations
  • Complete an AVID application
  • Undergo a personal interview
  • Show a desire to attend college
  • Agree to follow a college preparatory curriculum
  • Have a willingness to maintain a student binder (notebook)
  • Sign a contract of commitment to stay in AVID for at least one year
For more information contact your local secondary school principal or the DoDDS-Europe AVID Program Director DSN 338-7804.
Where is AVID?

Beginning SY03 the AVID program is in all DoDEA high schools. In DoDDS-Europe all secondary schools (48) have AVID programs. The AVID elective class is offered in grades 6 through 12. Students must be selected for the program and parents must sign an application before students are considered for the selection. 21 states currently have AVID programs.

For more information on where AVID is in the U.S. visit avidonline.org (External site)







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