AVID - student advancement program

AVID: Advancement Via Individual Determination

Cassandra Sage School Board Director Every Tuesday morning at 7:30AM I can be found in an AVID classroom full of 9th grade students. The teacher is amazing. She exudes energy. She has the respect of the kids. She is shaping the future of her students, so they have career and college options. AVID is an elective and participants are encouraged by their school counselor to apply. They have a good attendance record, a willingness to learn, and average grades. My role is that of facilitator. On Tuesdays we break into small groups and the students each bring a homework item they are struggling with. Individually they give a 30 second speech about the problem. They show the group what they know about the topic, what they assume and what they have tried to solve the issue at hand. The student’s peers and I ask relative questions such as; “Is there a formula your math teacher gave you to solve this?” Or “Did you take notes during this chapter?” My job is NOT to solve the problem for the student, but rather to facilitate critical thinking to spur the student to solve it themselves. The D in AVID stands for Determination. The students who are taking this elective have committed to putting forth their best effort. They are determined to work hard to expand their options. AVID is a college readiness program to assist students with critical thinking, organization and other skills to prepare them for a global workplace. Many of the students will be the first person in their family to attend college. Some will choose to enter the workforce directly, where the skills they learn will make them valuable employees. The vital component is having the option to take either path. Interested in making a difference? You can become a facilitator and bring options to local students. Contact Matt Gillingham, Director of Student Services: mgillingham@lwsd.org