AVID COURSE DESCRIPTION
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college preparatory elective designed to increase the number of students who are eligible for admission to the University of California, California State University and four year private colleges and universities. The mission of AVID is to provide support to students so that they can succeed in the most rigorous classes while at the same time prepare them for the challenges they will face in both high school and college. To ensure success in rigorous course work, students work individually and collaboratively. Cornell note taking, writing, verbal communication, reading, critical thinking, test-taking strategies, cooperative learning, and self-awareness are emphasized.
In addition, the course includes college and career motivational activities. The AVID Curriculum focuses on Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading (WICOR). Students are expected to be self-motivated and to have a strong desire to attend a four year college after graduation. Students that receive below a 2.0 GPA and/or “D” or “F” grades are subject to probation and/or removal from the AVID program. All students and parents must sign the AVID contract to participate in the AVID program.
8th grade AVID students will also be working to immediately prepare themselves for high school and beyond, therefore, personal responsibility and accountability will be highly emphasized.
7th grade AVID is a semester-long course beginning in January of each school year. 8th grade AVID is a year-long elective.
AVID Elective
"AVID Secondary starts with an elective class for one period a day, where students learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable."- AVID.org
AVID Curriculum
"The AVID curriculum, based on rigorous standards, was developed by middle and high school teachers in collaboration with college professors. It is based on best teaching practices in writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading, and it is supported by state and national content standards. AVID curriculum is used in the AVID Elective to guide teachers and students, while planning strategies for success, by focusing on time management and study skills."-AVID.org
AVID Objectives
- To provide academic instruction and support to students to prepare them for eligibility to four-year colleges and universities.
- To give students college level entry skills
- To increase the “coping skills” of program participants.
- To motivate students in the program to seek a college education
- To increase the participants level of career awareness.
- To target students in the academic middle who may be without a college going tradition in their families.
AVID INTRODUCTION VIDEO-ONE TEACHER ONE CLASSROOM