AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.
The AVID Student
“AVID targets students in the academic middle – B, C, and even D students – who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation.”
The AVID Elective
“Not only are students enrolled in their school’s toughest classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement®, but also in the AVID elective. For one period a day, they learn organizational and study skills, work on critical thinking and asking probing questions, get academic help from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities that make college seem attainable. Their self-images improve, and they become academically successful leaders and role models for other students. “http://www.avid.org/abo_whatisavid.html#student
Many strategies used to support AVID students are just down right good pedagogy.
AVID methodologies can be summed up using the acronym W-I-C-R which stands for Writing Inquiry Collaboration and Reading.
AVID students are expected to carry a 3 ring binder with dividers for each class, and take Cornell notes in class, and use Costa’s Levels of Inquiry.
You can learn more about Cornell Notes, W-I-C-R and Costa’s Level on the following pages.