The absolute importance of AVID

While the district cuts down Samo’s budget once more staff and programs are at risk of being removed and that thought worries faculty and students. Potential programs that could be cut are of importance because of the services that they offer to a large number of students. One of those programs  is AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), an elective course that provides academic support and has the objective of preparing first-generation college students to make sure that they receive the aid necessary to graduate high school and succeed beyond. AVID has been offered at Samo for many years, and is offered in 47 other states, running from grades K-12. It is beneficial to students who are seeking extra help in any academics including college planning and the application process. The class meets regularly, like any elective class would, and has peers and college students tutor classes. AVID also teaches new skills that students can use for other classes and in the real world, such as note taking, time management and writing and research skills. The ultimate goal of AVID is to challenge students by taking rigorous classes and help them achieve the higher standards that they have set for themselves with guidance. Something that makes AVID stand out from other electives is the fact that it provides tutors for students that come in a couple times a week. Tutors consist of college students and on occasion students in the class that  peer tutor one another. Because this elective is so college driven, meaning that their main priority is helping students make it to college, they do a lot of activities to prepare students for the college transition. Activities include various guest speakers, either talking about their personal experience or tips on what students should be doing to get into their dream college. The students also have opportunities to visit some of these colleges throughout the school year, and get a head start on entering the college application process. Students begin the application process their junior year, specifically with the common app and are encouraged to continue while they receive guidance to reduce the chaos during their senior year. Something to be considered about this course is the high success rate that they have in setting up students for success in attending and completing college. Teachers are taught the special AVID way of teaching: changing how the curriculum is taught and not what the actual curriculum is. The teaching approaches that AVID takes are ones that have developed over the years, and are adapted differently by each teacher based on their students. Teachers also develop strong relationships with their students, because of the time that they spend trying to help and get to know each individual student, something that not all students have with all teachers. Since AVID is primarily based on student participation and initiative, it sets up students to practice these skills and gain a strong work ethic and problem solving ability. In addition, students are able to build relationships with professionals in various careers and allow them to build connections with them if they are interested in pursuing that topic professionally in the future. AVID provides a lot of head starts to students, which is otherwise hard for them to find on their own in and outside of school. This is a crucial program that really will impact students and their path to college, leading them to take the scary path of college application and tackling rigorous courses alone or just avoiding them completely.  Since it has been offered for many years and expanded over time, taking it away now would only neglect this incredibly useful opportunity for future Samo students but also negatively impact those who are currently involved in the program.