What is AVID?

You may have heard the term AVID being used around the school - AVID class, AVID training, AVID strategies. We have introduced this learning program to Wadalba Community School over the past two years. But what is it? What does it do? Who does it involve? This blog is being written by the AVID R&D team. We aim to introduce you to AVID at Wadalba and encourage you to use the strategies with your classrooms.

What is AVID?

In a nutshell AVID stands for Achieving Via Individual Determination.

It is a learning program that was developed in the USA to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for University and other post-secondary opportunities. Simply, AVID trains teachers to use proven practices in order to prepare students for success in high school, university, and a career, especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

AVID is not just another program. At it’s heart AVID is a philosophy.

Hold students accountable to the highest standards,

provide academic and social support,

and they will rise to the challenge.

What is AVID at Wadalba?

At Wadalba, we have introduced the AVID program in a couple of ways. We have an AVID class and we have introduced various strategies to teachers to include in their classrooms.

The AVID Class

2015 saw out first AVID class. 30 students were selected to begin year 8 in an AVID style classroom. English, HSIE, Science and Maths would be taught by teachers who had received AVID training and the classes would run using AVID strategies. The selection process is fairly simple. They needed to meet the following criteria:

• ·         Not the high end student, not a low end student – an in-betweener who engages with work
• ·         Has potential to and might be considering going to university after school
• ·         Their parents have not completed a university degree
• ·         Recommendation from their year 7 teachers.

Once we have a range of names, letters are sent out to the parents of the students and they attend an information night and the final class is decided in consultation between HT AVID (Jenny Bennett), DP AVID (Jane Harris) and the Principal (Jason McGrath).

2016 has seen our second AVID class take off and hopefully this program will continue to grow as the whole community engages the strategies and students achieve success.

The AVID Strategies

There are literally hundreds of different strategies that are part of the AVID program. Teachers who have the AVID class are introducing them to students through their programming. However, these strategies can be used by teachers independent of being in an AVID class. At it’s core, AVID strategies teach skills and behaviours for academic success. There has been some opportunity to attend aspects of AVID training at in school PD days and there will be more opportunity, so keep an eye-out for this. Below is a list of the most common and popular strategies used by AVID teachers and over the coming year this blog aims to introduce, explain and encourage teachers to use them in your classroom.

• ·         W-I-C-O-R
• ·         Binders
• ·         Cornell Notes
• ·         Philosophical Chairs
• ·         Critical Reading/Listening
• ·         Socratic Seminars
• ·         Costas Levels of Questioning
• ·         Interactive Notebooks

    Also, ask and AVID teacher about the strategies and how they work for them - we are more than happy and willing to help out.