CCSD Advanced Learning Programs

AVID Program in the Cobb County School District
(Advancement Via Individual Determination)

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)

The AVID program is a support program designed to boost secondary students in the academic middle towards a higher level of college preparation. AVID aims to shift the student’s mindset from a “path of least resistance” to an approach focused on personal achievement demonstrated by successful participation in honors and advanced placement courses by graduation.

AVID places selected students in an elective class with direct instruction in critical thinking, writing to learn, college awareness, and academic collaboration. Students receive support from their AVID tutors and teacher so that there are “no excuses” for poor academic achievement. AVID students are challenged to raise their effort levels significantly in order to reach their personal goals for academic success. The AVID elective teacher and site team are provided annual professional development to that end.

In the process of implementing an AVID program, schools are challenged to rethink preconceptions of student ability. An AVID school becomes “AVIDized” when the belief systems of its teachers are transformed so that they recognize and capitalize on the capacity of all students to become critical thinkers and academic achievers. Thus the AVID program impacts not only selected students but the whole school culture. Merrilee Heflin, former principal of Daniell Middle School, attributes the school’s 3-year academic gains to AVIDization of the school.

Since its initial implementation in four Cobb schools in 2001, AVID has expanded to 21 Cobb schools, listed below. 97.1% of our 1,037 Cobb AVID students are on track for acceptance to four-year colleges upon graduation. In 2007, 66 Cobb AVID seniors took 96 AP exams, the basis for a Newsweek Challenge Index of 1.45, comparable to Wheeler and Pope High Schools.

AVID programs are evaluated annually on rigorous national standards. In 2007, twelve Cobb schools met the standards and thus attained recognition as National Certified schools (indicated below with *). This district accomplishment is particularly significant because there are only thirteen National Certified schools in the state of Georgia. Representing 46% of Georgia’s AVID programs, Cobb has 92% of the state’s National Certified schools.