As we look ahead to November, we want to emphasize data's vital role in our school improvement and student success efforts.
Schools that achieve results do so because they have moved beyond simply collecting data to understanding what it means to truly be data-driven. They leverage the data to inform their decisions and work. These schools ensure that educators and leaders have access to the “right data” at the “right time” and use the data to monitor for the outcomes they want to see.
With the data collection window open until February 7, 2025, now is the perfect time to gather the information necessary to advance the initiatives that matter within your school or district.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our educational community. Your commitment truly makes a difference in the lives of our students.
Warm regards,
AVID Center
AVID National Story
New Blog: The Voice of a Million AVID Alums
We're excited to share a new blog by Dr. Aliber Lozano, AVID Vice President of Alumni Services. This blog highlights exciting initiatives surrounding AVID alums. With over a million graduates, AVID is committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds as they navigate college and careers.
In spring 2023, AVID launched Alumni Services, a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen connections among alums, educators, and mentors. The blog delves into exciting updates, including a New Teacher Fellowship, our new podcast, AVIDly Adulting, an alum book, and a digital platform to support current students.
Don’t miss out on these updates and the chance to learn how AVID is building a vibrant community for alums to thrive and give back. Read the full blog below and discover how you can be part of this journey!
This month, we're spotlighting Principal Stephanie Roberts of SLAM Tampa Charter School, nominated by Mrs. Silagi, math instructional coach and AVID Site Coordinator. Principal Roberts has passionately championed the AVID program, empowering educators to integrate AVID strategies and enhance student learning in a diverse environment.
Her commitment has cultivated a vibrant AVID culture, significantly increasing student engagement and success. Since she implemented the AVID program, high school graduation and college attendance rates have risen. Under her leadership, the National Honor Society has more than doubled in size this year, showcasing students' achievements in critical thinking and academic excellence.
Principal Roberts prioritizes professional development, encouraging staff to attend AVID conferences and dedicating planning days to practical AVID strategies. She empowers students to take ownership of their learning, often quoting, “Perhaps you were created for such a time as this.” With her inspiring guidance, SLAM Tampa is paving the way for future success in high school, college, and beyond. Thank you, Principal Roberts, for your unwavering commitment!
Nominate Yourself or Others to Be Featured in the AVID Spotlight!
Each AVID Community Newsletter will feature a Spotlight story, highlighting the amazing anecdotes out there in the AVID world from educators just like you!
Upcoming at AVID
Early Bird Registration for AVID NatCon Ends 11/12
The deadline for Early Bird Registration is here! Make sure to register to take advantage of cost savings before it closes. Invest in your professional growth and join us at AVID NatCon in Dallas, December 12– 14, 2024. Here are the top five reasons why we think you'll love NatCon 2024!
The 2025 AVID Student Speaker Contest Is Now Open!
Our 2025 AVID Student Speaker Contest is an incredible opportunity for elementary, middle, and high school AVID students to share their voices at AVID Summer Institutes next year.
Students can submit a speech between 800–1,000 words for a chance to win a $500 honorarium, a letter of recommendation from AVID's CEO, and the opportunity to speak on a national stage—with travel and luxury accommodations covered. Don't miss this chance to inspire and make their voices heard. Entries are due by Friday, December 6, 2024!
Application for AVID Certified Educator Program Opens January 6, 2025
Mark your calendars! This is your chance to join a dedicated community of educators committed to student success. As a participant in the AVID Certified Educator program, you'll be at the forefront of educational transformation, engaging with like-minded professionals throughout the 2025–2026 school year.
Collaborative learning, professional growth, and mutual support will be central to your cohort experience as you share insights, challenges, and triumphs while applying the AVID Foundations of Instruction in your classroom. The application period is January 6–24, 2025. Participants can also apply to earn 5 semester units upon completion of the program and receipt of their certification.
Starting December 3 | Advancing Multilingual Learners Webinar Series
We are thrilled to introduce the Advancing Multilingual Learners Webinar Series, kicking off on December 3. This series is specifically tailored to the unique needs of multilingual classrooms, providing educators with practical applications and innovative ideas.
Our first webinar, "Classroom Cornerstones: Advancing Multilingual Learners Through The AVID Five Foundations of Instruction," is not to be missed.
Whether you're already harnessing the power of an AVID program or considering your next steps towards student equity, we invite you to join us for a dynamic and insightful discussion. We will showcase how the AVID Foundations of Instruction empower teachers to deliver exceptional instruction to their students while exploring how Title III funds can support learners across AVID's multilingual learner suite of programs.
We're excited to equip you with practices that champion multilingual students in their educational journey and we look forward to you joining us in this exciting series! More information to come for January and February. Don't hesitate. Register today!
AVID Ignite® Virtual Professional Learning Jan. 28–29!
Immerse yourself in 12 hours of virtual personalized learning, engage with 10 dynamic Communities of Practice, and take advantage of nationwide networking opportunities—all designed to elevate your skills and strategies for the 2025 school year.
The Dell Scholars Program, which provides high school seniors with a $20,000 scholarship and personalized, multifaceted support in college, is currently open and accepting applications until December 1.
If you have questions about the Dell Scholars Program or would like to request copies of the flyer in additional languages, please reach out toCindy Ayala.
New AVID Center Resource for District and Site Leaders: Student Cell Phone Policy Guidelines
In today's digital age, the need for guidance on creating a cell phone use policy in schools is more pressing than ever. With the rise of smartphone access among teens and the increasing amount of time spent online, educators and policymakers are recognizing the potential implications for students' mental health, social behavior, and academic performance.
An equitable policy seeks to balance the benefits of technology with the need for focused learning environments, aiming to foster responsible digital citizenship among students. Let's partner together to craft policies that nurture focused, healthy, and engaged learners in our schools. AVID Center has created a document for Cell Phone Policy Guidelines to support districts and sites to craft cell phone policies that are thoughtful, age-appropriate, and research-based.
Foundational CoPs to Align Learning Journeys for Educators New to AVID
In response to your feedback, AVID is now offering differentiated professional learning opportunities based on years of AVID experience. Beginning in 2025, we will introduce our Foundational Communities of Practice (CoPs).
A Foundational CoP is where an educator will begin their AVID professional learning journey and will experience aligned foundational strategies as they engage in robust content and network with other educators from across the nation.
In subsequent years, educators will deepen their content knowledge and collaborate with colleagues through their professional learning journey in a Year 2+ CoP. This will strengthen their implementation of foundational strategies while introducing new AVID strategies to further enhance student engagement and positively impact learning outcomes.
This one-pager will provide you more details about AVID's learning journeys through Foundational CoPs, Foundational Strategies, and Year 2+ CoPs.
In this blog, Brett Bowers, AVID Vice President of School District Leadership, explores 10 impactful ways AVID principals lead differently, weaving AVID principles into the very fabric of their schools to foster success for students, staff, and the entire campus community!
The FAFSA opens on December 1st! Slides (available in Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides) are updated monthly to support AVID students and their peers schoolwide.
New for November: FAFSA account creation for students and contributors, state-specific resources for California, Florida, and Texas.
Visit the CHOICE Day page on MyAVID for documents and information about the Dell Scholarship. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2024.
Remember to have students check Tallo regularly for college and career scholarships!
AVID Open Access® Podcasts
If it relates to education and matters to you, we're talking about it on our podcasts.Tune in every Tuesday and Wednesday for a new episode of Tech Talk For Teachers and Unpacking Education.