1. Raising Academic Performance for Students in the Middle

2. Facilitators Keith Adams Liberal High School Principal Rita Williams USD480 AVID District Director

3. Who is in the Middle? Think about students with whom you have been associated that you consider to be “in the middle.” What is it about these students that puts them “in the middle?”

4. Students in the academic middle B, C, and D Students Falling short of their potential Capable of completing rigorous curriculum First in family to attend college Historically underrepresented in four-year colleges and universities Economically disadvantaged Who are they?

5. Advancement Via Individual Determination [L. avidus]: eager for knowledge [L. avidus]: eager for knowledge

6. Superman vs. Batman Superman – Gifted & Talented Superman is naturally Gifted & Talented. He does not need any special help or toys and gadgets to be successful. He just flies and is blessed with powers naturally. Batman – AVID Students Batman is just as capable as Superman, but he needs: Alfred the Butler (AVID Teacher), Special toys and gadgets (AVID Classroom and WICR), and Robin (AVID tutors and peers) Batmobile (AVID Binder)

7. AVID Program Components  Classroom curriculum  Academic instruction  Instructional tools  Tutorial support  Student connections  Professional development

8. The AVID Elective Curriculum

9. Academic Instruction  WICR  Writing to learn  Inquiry  Collaboration  Reading to learn  Study Skills

10. Instructional Tools  Cornell Note Taking  Planners/Time Management  Binders/Organizational Skills  AVID Curriculum Library

11. Tutorial Program  Collaborative Tutorial  Socratic method  Costa’s levels of questioning  1 college tutor for every 7 students

12. Colleges and Universities Community Parents Administration Counselors Subject Area Teachers Tutors AVID Coordinator (AVID Elective Teacher) AVID Support Staff Student Collaborative Support for the Success of Students

13. Student Connections  Teacher/adult advocate  Supportive peer groups  Community service activities  Extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities  Motivational activities  Career and college exploration

14. Professional Development  Summer Institute  District Director training  Content area PATH trainings  Tutor training  Regional workshops

15. Teachers benefit from...  Involvement in a systemic and curricular approach  Initial in-depth staff development and ongoing support in regions and districts  Focus on results  Accountability  Site team work  Increased leadership

16. Why AVID Works  Accelerates under-achieving students into more rigorous courses  Teaches academic skills not targeted in other classes  Provides intensive support with in-class tutors and a strong student/teacher relationship  Creates a positive peer group for students  Develops a sense of hope for personal achievement gained through hard work and determination

17. AVID Teaches the “Hidden” Curriculum In AVID students are challenged with rigorous curriculum, but they are also taught:  Leadership Skills  Study Skills  Organizational Skills  Goal Setting  Student Success Skills  Social Skills

18. AVID Strengthens  Middle school/high school articulation  Accountability  Comprehensive professional development  A district-wide focus on results

19. How AVID Supports School Wide Change Builds Partnerships: Collaboration with College Board Partners in state and federal grants Partners with community organizations Partners with parents Partners with counseling programs Collaboration with college outreach programs

20. How AVID Supports School Wide Change Creates a College Going Culture: Site team focused on a college-going culture College field trips and research projects College tutors as role models College going data to guide district plan Guest speakers Increased AP and Pre-AP participation, especially for minority students Implements research based, best instructional practices for all students in the school

21. The success of AVID persists despite differences in: school location school ethnic distribution school poverty level

22. AVID Center Data Collection System, 2006-2007 Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole percent AVID Graduates Nationally 99% plan to enroll in a college or university 69% plan to enroll in a four-year university 30% plan to enroll in a two-year college 59% of parents had no college level experience

23. See projected AVID program cost handout AVID: The Cost One-time Costs: AVID Library District Director training (over a 2-year period) Ongoing Costs: College tutors AVID membership fees Summer Institute registration and travel Continuing professional development

24. AVID Support AVID: The Support Regional trainings and meetings: Tutor Trainings Coordinator/Elective Teacher Meetings and Professional Development Administrator/Counselor Meetings and Professional Development District Director Meetings Yearly Curriculum Updates Regional PATH Trainings

25. All reports are available on the Texas AVID Website at: http://avid.panam.edu AVID Research Watt, Yanez, & Cossio (2003): AVID: A Comprehensive School Reform Model for Texas. National Forum Journal Watt, Powell & Mendiola (2004): Implications of One Comprehensive School Reform Model for Secondary School Students Underrepresented in Higher Education. JESPAR. Watt, Powell, Memdiola & Cossio (2006): School-wide Impact and AVID: How Have Selected Texa High Schools Addressed the New Accountability Measure? JESPAR. Watt, Huerta & Cossio, 2004. Leadership and Comprehensive School Reform: Implementation of AVID in Four South Texas Border Schools. The Catalyst.

26. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Culture and Commitment, Margaret Mead, 1996

27. Contact Information: Rosemary EllisDivision Director rellis@avidcenter.org Rudy MartinezAssistant Director rmartinez@avidcenter.org Barbara CopelandProgram Manager bcopeland@avidcenter.org rellis@avidcenter.org rmartinez@avidcenter.org bcopeland@avidcenter.org Central Division: (512) 669-5900 www.avidonline.org