Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a program that prepares students in Years 7 to 12 to enter tertiary education at the end of their secondary school studies. Most students who enrol in AVID have had no experience with adults who have graduated from university.
Students are identified during Year 7 and 8 by teachers and are supported throughout secondary school to gain entry into university when they finish Year 12.
The AVID program provides the students with university tutors to help them through challenges they may have with their classwork. Tutors are trained in the AVID approach, which is designed to offer academic assistance needed for success in class. The program also provides professional development to teachers.
AVID commenced operating in the USA in 1980. It now involves approximately 320,000 students in 4,000 schools across 16 countries. In the USA the AVID program has had demonstrable success and has now made a promising start in Australia.
Many universities actively work to support AVID programs by offering scholarships for AVID students, recruiting university students to serve as tutors in AVID classrooms, and opening up their campuses through university tours and other outreach events.
Other important elements of the AVID program are its support for leadership development and engagement with the community, and with students' families. Leadership development is explored in numerous capacities. For example, leaders from the local community are brought into the AVID classroom as guest speakers, these include university lecturers and students, business leaders, and community leaders. Students can practice taking effective notes while they learn about leadership and university success from members of the community. Guest speakers offer an important link between AVID students, the outside community and their thinking about leadership. Community service offers another opportunity to develop AVID student leadership capabilities.
What are the benefits of AVID?
The AVID program supports students to achieve and improve their results. Students work within a team and build positive relationships with teachers, peers, and members of the community. AVID teaches study and organisational skills, as well as strengthening writing skills. Students are helped to explore careers through guest speakers, field trips and working in partnership with Macquarie University and Newcastle University. This may also open up scholarships opportunities for students. Overall the AVID program builds self-confidence and self-belief in their ability to achieve.
For more information about AVID and the structure of the AVID program at Tumbi Umbi visit avid.org or contact Mrs Raelene Cobham (AVID coordinator at Tumbi Umbi Campus) or Mrs Shayne Player (principal).