Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college readiness system designed to help students in the middle prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. AVID is offered in approximately 4,800 elementary, middle and high schools in 48 states and 16 countries/territories. Approximately 95% of AVID high school graduates enroll in college with more than 60% enrolled in four year colleges. AVID graduates persist in college at an 89% rate. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college. AVID offers a rigorous program of instruction in academic “survival skills” and college level entry skills. The AVID program teaches the student how to study, read for content, takes notes, and manages time. Students participate in collaborative study groups or tutorials led by tutors who use skillful questioning to bring students to a higher level of understanding.
AVID targets students in the academic middle, who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation. The eligibility become an AVID student is a 2.0-3.5 GPA, scores between the 50th and 80th percentiles on CTB TerraNova, Teacher and administrator recommendation, and Expressed commitment to achievement.
Tutors are essential to the success of the AVID elective class, where they facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum. AVID tutors are college students and/or volunteer community members and parents who are trained in leading AVID tutorials.
At the secondary grade levels (6th – 12th grades), AVID is an approved elective course taken during the school day. In the AVID elective class, students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Students in AVID are expected to enroll in rigorous classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement®. As students progress in AVID, their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students.
The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and senior high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is driven by the WICOR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes and in content-area classes in AVID schools
Results
The formula is simple - raise expectations of students, and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. What differentiates AVID from other educational reform programs is its astounding success rate. Independent research, together with AVID's own data, validate that the AVID college-readiness system works. AVID students are more likely to take AP classes, complete their college eligibility requirements, and get into four-year colleges than students who don’t take AVID. Almost all AVID students who participate for at least three years are accepted to college, with roughly three quarters getting into four-year universities. AVID also helps ensure students, once accepted to college, possess the higher-level skills they need for college success.
AVID is offered in all DoDEA middle and high schools. For more information, contact your school’s counselor or the area AVID Coordinator.
For official AVID data and results visit the official AVID Website.