Course Description and student Profile The AVID program is designed for students to develop the necessary skills to be successful at a four year university. This strategies are obtained though completion a rigorous academic curriculum at the high school level, critical thinking skills, emphasis on writing, note taking strategies, and use of the AVID notebook. Resources such as tutorials, cooperative learning, fund raising for field trips, community service and team building will serve as part of the foundation of the course.
The mission of the AVID program is to ensure that all students and most especially the least served students who are in the middle: Ø Will succeed in a rigorous curriculum Ø Will enter mainstream activities in school Ø Will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges Ø Will become educated and responsible leaders in a democratic society
The AVID Student profile Ø Average to High Test Scores Ø 2.0-3.5 GPA in non-college prep curriculum Ø College Potential With Support Ø Desire and Determination
Must meet one or more of the following criteria: Ø First to Attend College in family Ø Historically Undeserved in four-year college Ø Low Income Ø Special Circumstances
Class Expectations: Each student will be a person of character. In order to be successful in this class a student must be Trustworthy and consistently show Respect and Responsibility to themselves and others. They must be Fair and Caring in all their actions and model appropriate Citizenship. What does this look like? 1) Show respect and courtesy to all people. Rudeness, disrespect, and derogatory remarks will not be tolerated. 2) Take responsibility for your own behavior, actions, decisions, and choices. 3) Try your best on everything, even if it seems difficult. Produce quality work that you can be proud of. 4) Be in class prepared and on time. This means bringing your materials (textbooks, paper, pen, etc.) to class each day. 5) Listen attentively and follow directions carefully. 6) Complete and turn in all assignments when they are due. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Attendance Policy and Make-up Work -Attendance is of great importance to all classes. Students are expected to be in class, on time, with necessary materials every day. If you know that you are going to be absent ahead of time let me know. This way I can get you the assignments you will miss. If you have an unexpected excused absence then you have as many days as you missed to make up any missed assignments. If an assignment was due on the missed day, it is due upon your return. Long-term assignments are due on the assigned day; absence will not be accepted as an excuse for long-term assignments. Tardiness is not acceptable. Please make every effort to be to class on time.
Behavior and Participation Points - During each Semester all students will start out with 150 points. Each time that a student is absent or tardy they will lose 5 points. Students will also lose points by refusing to participate, displaying rude or disrespectful behavior, coming to class unprepared, and other negative behaviors addressed in this syllabus. A student may not earn these points back, however, if a student displays positive behavior it may mean the difference in earning a C+ or B-, or a B- and a B, etc. For students on the border between two grades, responsibility and a positive attitude will earn them a higher grade.
Academic Honesty Policy - The school wide academic honesty policy will be enforced.
Grading Procedures Ø 20% Attendance, participation, and professional attitude Ø 40% Notebook (with Cornell notes), tutorials, and projects Ø 30% Classwork, Learning Logs Ø 10% Homework
The following grading scale will be used to determine final grades 90-100% =A, 80-89% =B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% =D, 0-59% =F
Materials Students are to bring the following materials everyday: Ø 2 pens, 2 pencils Ø AVID Notebook Ø Lined Paper Ø Designated text book |