For Immediate Release • January 4, 2006
Terren Roloff, Director
Community Relations
Phone: 354-7338
terrenr@spokaneschools.org

New program creates AVID students

A program new to Spokane Public Schools this year is creating avid learners.

AVID, which stands for “Advancement Via Individual Determination,” is actually a 25-year-old program, but is being piloted at North Central and Rogers high schools this year. AVID is designed to help students with high potential, but who are in danger of slipping through the cracks, go on to a four-year university. It targets the 2.0-3.5 GPA students with stellar test scores that show they could be doing more.

In the AVID class, students learn organization, study and note-taking skills. A structured curriculum focuses on writing, inquiry, collaboration and reading. In tutorials held up to twice a week, students pose questions and work together to reach a deeper level of understanding. They also work on doing things to make sure others know they are trying hard – things like sitting in the front when possible, asking questions, taking notes and talking to the teacher.

For their AVID class, students have the same teacher for all four years.

Grades so far show that the focus and structured curriculum is working.