The 11 Essentials of AVID

AVID Elective Students are solid B/C students in the academic "middle", with academic potential. Student might be first generation college-student, or needs an additional layer of support to help them overcome obstacles. to succeed (organization, study habits, economically disadvantaged, etc).

Students and staff participate voluntarily. Now, this might not always be the case with teaching assignments, but AVID students should never be assigned or placed in AVID without applying.

Keep in mind though, students can get frustrated and may want to quit. Other electives are "easier". This is why is is important to have clear communication with your counseling staff, so if a student tries to exit the elective class, they can help the student to deescalate and to keep their eye on the prize.

The AVID Elective is a full academic year, supported financially by the district, and committed to implementation for each campus. The AVID elective is promoted as a centerpiece for college preparation.

• Goal is 4 year college

• Prepare a longterm educational plan

• Work with counselors

• Students are exposed to college and career expectations

• Practice in test-taking (PSAT, SAT, ACT)

• Direct instruction and practice with study skills including time management, assignment and grade recording, tutorial logs, and binder organization.

• AVID Libraries provide a curriculum that features preparation in writing, academic reading, and math.

• Receive instruction in writing-to-learn strategies, writing process, timed writing

• Include Cornell note taking, learning logs, letter writing, and essays

• Available for review, study, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation

• Scaffolding reading instruction helps develop comprehension skills

• Provides connection to prior knowledge, understanding text structure, and using text-processing strategies

• Develop and practice critical thinking skills

• Learn how to develop questions for their Cornell note and tutorial groups

• Questioning at a higher level

• Costa’s levels of questioning

• Socratic dialogue

• Inquiry is a tool for learning

• Students work collaboratively

• Receive training in group etiquette, development of group process ground rules, purposes for working together

• Learn to quickly and efficiently organize themselves into working and/or tutorial groups, to interact effectively and respectfully, and to take responsibility for their own and for one another’s success in learning

• Utilize questions from their notes to focus discussion

• Illustrates the power of synergy

• Tutors facilitate student access to rigorous curriculum

• Tutors use writing, inquiry, and collaboration to facilitate student growth as independent learners

• Provide an important bridge between the experience of the students and the expectations of the coordinator

• College students or upper classman are powerful role models who promote the development of an academic identity

• Effective tutor: student ratio is 1:7

• Program implementation and student progress is monitored through AVID data systems

• Evidence of success and data provide the mechanisms for continued improvement

• Basis for action planning

• Attend Summer Institute

• Continued staff development

• Strong and effective AVID team is a leadership group that fosters the development of a school wide learning community

• Collaboration is key to achieving the AVID mission

• AVID team focuses on achievement of all students

• Site team should include the AVID coordinator/teacher (s) , academic subject area lead teachers, an academic counselor, a site administrator, and a representative AVID student

• Develops and implements a site plan

• Documents evidence to illustrate support for students success

• Meets regularly to assess AVID students’ needs, to assist the coordinator, and plan for collaborative work with school professionals

• Routinely set site goals and to create a school culture which nurtures and supports the AVID mission