The AVID Program in AISD: Program Evaluation Report, 2000-2001.

N

36

Advanced Placement Programs; College Preparation; Low Achievement; Low Income Groups; Minority Groups; Program Evaluation; Secondary Education; Secondary School Students; Student Participation

Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) is a program in the Austin Independent School District (AISD), Texas, that is designed to help underachieving students with academic potential prepare for entrance into colleges and universities. Program participants are primarily from low income and ethnic minority backgrounds. In AVID, these students are placed in a college preparatory academic program and are given a support system to help them achieve. The base for this support system is the daily AVID class, in which students participate from grade 7 through grade 12. As the demonstration grant that started AVID comes to an end, and AVID becomes integrated into AISD, it is important to evaluate program operation and participants' success. Information from a variety of sources was used to study the AVID program. Overall, nearly 400 students were enrolled in AVID courses, more than double the number served in 1999-2000. Nearly two-thirds were high school students, and 56% were female. Eight AISD schools were certified as meeting the requirements of AVID. Findings suggest that if the district decides to build additional capacity, this should be accomplished through collaboration with other AVID schools in Texas, and it should be accompanied by increased efficacy of the vertical teams within the district and the modeling of AVID processes for non-AVID schools. Some challenges to sustainability are identified. Overall, AVID students appear to be meeting the goals of increased participation in advanced classes and school involvement, and AVID students passed the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills exit examination at high rates. An appendix contains the certification summaries for AVID schools. (SLD)

2002

ED465771