"According to the Foundation for Critical Thinking, 'Thinking is not driven by answers but by questions,” positioning inquiry as foundational to the higher-level cognition required for college success. AVID’s emphasis on inquiry focuses on the application of Arthur Costa’s three levels of “intellectual functioning,' whereby learning to ask progressively more complex questions is scaffolded, and students become progressively more metacognitive—aware of their own thinking processes. Using inquiry as an essential foundation for intelligent, productive cognition and discourse is crucial for academic achievement and college completion. Effective use of inquiry is even more important, however, for success in the workplace. Employers, according to Harvey et al. (1997), are 'placing greater emphasis on hiring college graduates with inquiring minds and higher-level thinking skills,' in order to meet the challenges of the workplace. This is a position supported by national surveys of employers (Business/Higher Education Round Table, 1991, 1992; Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, 1992; Education Commission of the States, 1995). Teaching and learning strategies that stimulate inquiry are thus necessary to prepare college graduates to successfully contribute to economic prosperity, as well as to individual quality of life." - AVID Handbook, 2021-2022