AVID aims to help 'academic middle' succeed AVID aims to help 'academic middle' succeed (December 30, 2005)

Trustees hope to expand program, include 'Avid for all'
by Rebecca Guyon

The board of trustees discussed the possibility of extending the Advancement Via Individual Determination program--better known as AVID--during its December meeting, not only by adding additional sections of the program, but also by attempting to spread its teaching philosophy to all secondary school classes.

"I appreciate the fostering of independent thought and the work toward the college application process," said Melinda Ballard, a teacher at Amador Valley High School who has two children in the AVID program, as she addressed the trustees during the meeting. "The program has brought organization into our lives like nothing else before. I hope it's available for more and more students."

AVID is a national academic support program for grades 5-12 that targets academically average students, giving them extra classroom support with the ultimate goal that each student will attend a four year university after high school graduation. Students enroll in the AVID class, which is credited as an elective, where they develop skills they would need to qualify for and succeed in Honors and Advanced Placement courses.

The course focuses on critical thinking, having students ask questions and collaborate with teachers and tutors, instead of only listening to lectures and taking notes. Writing and reading instruction are stressed with students focused on developing analytical reading skills and improving their ability to write essays.

There are currently 262 students district-wide enrolled in AVID in grades 8-12. Director of Assessment and Evaluation James Gulek presented data on the grade point averages, test scores and college ambitions of students in the 11th and 12th grade AVID classes to highlight the program's successes and shortfalls.

Students in the AVID classes all posted higher GPAs than the district-wide average, but their math GPAs were below the district average. All the AVID students passed the California High School Exit Exam when they first took it as sophomores and were clearly on the college-path with 92 percent having completed the minimum requirements for college admittance and all filling out applications to a junior college or a four year college.

While the Board was impressed with the program and its results, some trustees were dismayed that it is considered a special program and critical thinking is not pushed in all classes.

"I would rather see money behind 'AVID for all' than open additional AVID sections," said Trustee Kris Weaver. "I feel like we're missing kids in the middle. Obviously there are a whole lot more than two classes' worth of students that could benefit."

Trustee Steve Pulido was concerned that some students are meeting the requirements for the program, want to be involved, but are being turned away because of a lack of space and resources. Director of Secondary School Curriculum Diane Howell said she was unaware of that happening, adding that there are specific requirements that students must meet in order to enroll, such as fill out an application and go through an interview, and their parents must attend a meeting.

"The big thing is the student must be motivated," Howell said.

Howell presented several recommendations to expand the program, mostly focused on ways to find additional funding sources to provide more AVID sections. She also addressed Weaver's concerns, recommending the district provide more opportunities for non-AVID teachers to receive the same development and training as AVID teachers.

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