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Why AVID Works:
AVID confronts a fundamental systemic issue that American education must face: the fact that tracking tends to keep families on a low income and students of color out of college preparatory programs and that results in lower levels of academic achievement. Research has demonstrated that AVID offers an effective way to address these problems because:
- AVID accelerates students into more rigorous courses, instead of remedial programs.
- AVID incorporates the intensive support students need to succeed in rigorous courses.
- AVID uses Socratic methods and study groups that specifically target the needs of students and creates an environment of discovery learning.
- AVID is a school-wide initiative, not a school within a school.
- AVID changes the belief system of a school by showing that families living on a low income and students of color can achieve at the highest levels and attend college.
- Each AVID site team is based on the notion that student success is a shared responsibility.
- All AVID strategies are based on research on tracking and peer influences in student achievement.
The AVID Elective Class:
The elective class, held during the regular school day, is the foundation of AVID. Students are enrolled in a college preparatory sequence and in an elective section of AVID where they receive the academic and motivational support to succeed. During the AVID class two days per week, students are coached by trained college tutors, and work collaboratively in groups with curriculum focused on writing and inquiry.
Two days per week are devoted to reading, writing and math preparation and study skills for college entrance and placement exams. Students receive college level mini-courses taught by motivational presentations by guest speakers and take field trips to colleges and businesses.
The AVID Curriculum
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 WICR method, which stands for writing, inquiry, collaboration, and reading. AVID curriculum is used in AVID elective classes, in content-area classes in AVID schools, and even in schools where the AVID elective is not offered.