Seeing is believing…
AVID Center Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 2:04PM 2010 AVID National Conference Highlights
See Scenes from the 2010 AVID National Conference on YouTube for highlights and interviews from the conference!
Heard at the conference...
There were so many “nuggets” of wisdom, inspiration and information from keynote speakers to student panelists were shared at AVID’s 2010 National Conference. Below are only a few. Feel free to add your comments to the list.
“Two things that great teachers need to remember… Always give the students academic rigor, for if you don’t, the students will think you believe them to be stupid, and they will never perform for you. And the second lesson is to always let the students know that you are on their side, that you want them to succeed, and they will do anything you ask.”
- Mary Catherine Swanson
AVID founder
“It is one thing to set high expectations for students, and quite another to give them the support that’s needed so that they are able to meet those expectations. AVID is about fulfilling the promise of high expectations.”
- Jim Nelson
Executive Director, AVID Center
“Now, go out there and make good trouble, necessary trouble.”
- Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education Greg Darnieder
quoting U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia
"Not every student may choose to go to college - but it ought to be their choice, not one that is made for them by receiving a second-rate education."
- Monte Moses
Education Consultant, Retired Superintendent, Cherry Creek, Colorado
“Equity is not equal. It never has been. Equity is giving all students what they need in order to reach a common place. No two students come to us from the same place. We must scaffold and give each student the tools that he or she needs in order to get them to the common place of college readiness and success in a rigorous course of study. We can do that through culturally relevant teaching strategies to make sure we are addressing the needs of ALL learners.”
- Patrick Briggs
Texas State Assistant Director, AVID Center
“I look forward to coming to AVID conferences and trainings because I always come away feeling like I am part of something bigger than myself; something that really works for kids; something I can sink my teeth into and know that I am making a difference.”
- National conference attendee
“Enthusiasm and excitement for the AVID College Readiness System is building and growing across the globe with DoDEA and Australia chomping at the bit to join AVID Elementary and AVID Postsecondary components.”
- Shannon McAndrews
National Director of Elementary Programs, AVID Center
"Our long-term English language learner (ELL) students--most of whom were born and schooled in the U.S. and are still labeled as ELLs--are allowed to become invisible by the end of middle school; they eke by as underachievers just below the radar. It is our job to keep them visible and to give them the language skills to be leaders and achievers."
- Michelle Mullen
Curriculum Consultant, AVID Center
AVID student panelists said...
What is the hardest part of your AVID class?
“Cornell notes. It hurts, but it works!”
“Opening up. We did a Socratic Seminar on a poem called “Mask.” In AVID, we take off our masks. It’s kind of emotional, but it helps us get to the heart of our real dreams.”
“AVID pushes us to do more than we thought we could, and then our teachers push us to go even higher. It feels so good to succeed.”
What do you say when someone asks why you should we even bother doing AVID in your school?
“AVID will raise the roof for students who didn’t know their potential – like most of us. AVID will bring up the national statistics even higher than the goal!”
“AVID increases educational appreciation. You actually get to learn the material through “C-notes” and not just memorize it for the test one day and forget it the next.”
“Everyone has something to learn. AVID pushes everyone to learn more. It has such a big impact and MAKES students want to be successful.”
What has AVID changed for you...
“ ...my confidence level.”
“AVID set a new standard for my brothers and sisters.”
“AVID changed my dreams about what I want to do in life.”
Save the Date
Experience National Conference firsthand in 2011.
2011 AVID National Conference
College and Career Ready Students: A Pledge for the Future
December 08-10, 2011
Hilton Bonnet Creek
Orlando, Florida
Reader Comments (4)
I agree that AVID works. As the previous person indicated students must be prepared to work harder. In AVID absenteeism is lower. Scholars know they are accountable for their work. They couch each other during tutorials.
It is nice to see students worry about not having any books to read. My scholars read at least one 300 page plus book a month.
There is a higher expectation and students rise to it. AVID also requires hard work and dedication from trained AVID teachers.
Some teachers see it as :tracking" but the fact is that AVID teachers train and expect more from the students. They do not disappoint. Only a few that cannot handle the high expectations leave the class.
For my students, the most valuable "gift" AVID has given them, is the awareness of their voices. Although they are learning to identify and utilize strategies that will increase their academic successes; more importantly, they are more effectively communicating with their peers and teachers. The AVID elective class provides a safe place for my students to practice the arts of conversation, dialogue, and debate. As they take these skills into their academic classes, they elevate the teaching and learning experiences throughout the school.
The same holds true for the AVID trained teachers. They embrace and encourage academic exploration - in all its forms. I am fortunate to work in an AVID world.
What a wonderful post!I like what you wrote, I believe you also like what I would recommend.someday,i find my favoraite shop,in this shop, you can find huge selection of www.wisunglass.com
Best of luck for you
I believe in the AVID program because it teaches the old values of "Knowledge is Power." I know that charter schools are doing great things as well as private catholic schools. I only wish that the powers that be, from the public school arena, stop playing the "Blind man in the desert"- not knowing where to go and what to do, but suffering terribly.
We already know how bad schools are, now do something! Invoke a rigorous curriculum, a well structured and disciplined environment, a no- nonsense parent involvement, teacher and principal accountability, mandatory student dress code for respectability, appropriateness, and less competitiveness in attire. Develop community involvement activities at the schools for kids and parents, ZERO TOLERANCE with bullying, violence, and inappropriate school behavior.
We need to stop behaving as BIG WUSSES and go back to the old values of the time when I went to school. If students or parents feel that their student does not need to adhere to these rules or behaviors then allow the parent to home school the child or if age appropriate enter a vocational institute.
Unless the Department of Education steps up to the plate we will be discussing the mess of the public school system until I am 80 years old and then after that. If they are still are unsure about what to do ask the Japanese, Chinese, or the Netherlands what is their magic for their students achieving academic success. But I believe its not magic just hard work.
Ms. Bonita