AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Writing as a Tool for Learning: Writing is basic to thinking, learning and growth. It allows students to think in complex ways, contributes to self-knowledge, helps clarify and order experience, helps students be better readers, and enables students to “do better” in school. The AVID note-taking system is an adaptation of the sophisticated Cornell system. Students take detailed notes from class lectures and texts in a wide right-hand margin, and develop clarifying ideas or questions regarding these notes in a narrow left-hand margin. Not only do the notes help students clarify thought, students also engage in writing for learning, and their writing and language skills improve. Reading skills develop as students have experience in using language. AVID students are required to take binders to all academic classes and to use them to take notes.

Emphasis on Inquiry: Students are trained in the inquiry method, based on levels of questioning (Socratic Method), rather than on lecture. This engages students in their own learning, resulting in student ownership for larger understanding of concepts and higher order thinking skills.

Collaborative Approach: Research shows that students learn best when they are actively manipulating materials through making inferences and then generalizing from those inferences. Collaborative groups encourage this type of thinking. AVID teachers serve as guides, facilitators and coaches to support the success of each student.

Organization: The AVID curriculum teaches students how to organize their time, thinking and resources. Students are able to engage more deeply when they are organized.

Reading to Learn: The AVID curriculum emphasizes critical reading, with academic reading instruction created so that students develop greater comprehension skills. Three factors most helpful in ensuring comprehension are connecting to prior knowledge, understanding text structure, and using text-processing strategies during and after reading.