AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination

The Mission of AVID

The misssion of AVid is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students 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

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 schoolwide and districtwide.

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.

AVID's systemic approach is designed to support students and educators as they increase schoolwide/districtwide learning and performance.

AVID Essentials in a Nutshell

1. Students are selected from the middle and would benefit from AVID support to improve their academic records and begin college preparation.
2. Student and teacher participation is voluntary.
3. The school is committed to full implementation: AVID is scheduled as an academic elective.
4. AVID students are enrolled in a rigorous curriculum.
5. A strong, relevant writing and reading curriculum is a basis for learning in the AVID elective class.
6. Inquiry is used as a basis for instruction in the AVID classroom.
7. Collaboration is used as a basis for instruction in the AVID classroom.
8. Trained tutors regularly facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum using AVID methodologies.
9. Program implementation and student progress are monitored through the AVID Data System and results are analyzed to ensure success.
10. The school or district identifies resources for program costs, supports the Essentials, participates in certification, and commits to AVID staff development.
11. Active, interdisciplinary site teams collaborate on issues of access to and success in rigorous college preparatory classes.