by Laura Anderson, AVID Coordinator

What is AVID?

AVID is a program designed to increase school-wide learning and performance.  The mission of AVID is to ensure that all students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle:

• will succeed in rigorous curriculum,
• will complete a rigorous college preparatory path,
• will enter mainstream activities in the school,
• will increase their enrollment in four year colleges, and
• will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society

What the research shows about AVID graduates nationwide! 

• 95% are enrolled in a college or university
• 71.1% are attending a four-year university
• 23.7% are attending a two-year college
• 75% are working either full or part-time to send themselves through college

The AVID elective class

Support for both teachers and students is an integral piece of the program's success.  Teachers are provided with training and support in their content areas during a week-long Summer Institute each summer.  Site team meetings are held at least once a month at each participating school.  Students are provided support through their daily AVID elective class.  Students learn how to take Cornell notes, organize their binders, participate in Socratic Seminar and collaborative learning, and how to be an organized successful student.  Tutoring sessions are provided during class time each Tuesday and Thursday.  Each Friday guest speakers are invited to share information about their career and what steps were needed to obtain their job.

What do the AVID elective teachers need?

Friday Speakers!    Hearing your story of the path you followed to become the person you are and the career choice you made broadens our AVID students' visions of who they can become.   If you would like to sign up to be a Friday guest speaker or know someone who has an interesting career please call or email Laura Anderson. 

Tutors!  Finding tutors is our biggest challenge!  Tutors are trained in AVID methodologies and how to tutor groups of five to seven students at a time through Socratic Seminar. The hours range from 8:00 AM -2:30 PM depending upon the AVID elective class time.  North Canyon High School, Paradise Valley High School, Greenway Middle School, and Vista Verde Middle School each have two AVID elective classes.    Tutors are needed on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year.   Pay is $10 per hour plus the joy of working with enthusiastic students and teachers.  If this appeals to you, please call Laura Anderson at 802-867-5290 or email landerson@pvschools.net for more information.

August 2006