Testimonials from Students, Parents, and Teachers Regarding the AVID Program

Students:
“I learned a lot from time management activities. I liked it because it really shows me how many things I have in a typical day or week, and gives me a way to organize my time to get everything done.

“Because we’re in AVID, we got progress reports from every class, even the ones where teachers don’t give them out to kids. This was good information to me because if I found out I wasn’t doing well in a class, I knew that I had to step it up and create an action plan
to improve.”

“Having AVID probation helped me very much. It encouraged me to do my homework and to continue working hard in my classes. Once I started improving, all of my grades went up. I was close to being put on probation and possibly asked to leave the program,
so I worked hard and it helped me stay in AVID and do well in my other classes too.”

“I didn’t really like the organization because it was very hard to adapt to. However, I noticed when I was organized, I could find my papers more easily and wouldn’t be so stressed out because my binder wasn’t a horrifying mess anymore. I also noticed it helped to raise my grades when I had drill note quizzes in Social Studies and binder checks in Math and AVID.”

“One of the activities that I really like is the fieldtrips to colleges. We went to the University of Md., Towson State, and Loyola College. I got to learn information about them and what different colleges look like. I also really like Career Days and guest
speakers. We learn different things about people’s jobs and it can help me find out what I’d like to do after college.”

Parents:
“I am a parent and tutor in an AVID class. As a parent I see how AVID has helped my daughter. When she was in sixth grade, she was in all average classes, getting average grades. In 7th grade, she was moved up to three advanced classes, and made straight A’s. AVID was the reason my daughter’s classes were changed from average to advanced courses. AVID encouraged her to do her best and helped her have the confidence needed to succeed at this higher level. It has helped her become more organized, have bigger and better goals, and be confident in her abilities.”

“The AVID program has provided my grandson with an academic structure to support him as he works to succeed. It has challenged him to be better than average. In today’s society, where a college education is becoming a basic requirement for many jobs, I feel
it is critical to have a course of study that is challenging to our children. His study skills, note taking ability, and organizational skills have improved since enrolling into the AVID program. I have attended AVID Parent/Student Nights and found them to be very
informative. For instance, we attended a college night and were given a great deal of information on how to pay for college. All aspects of the AVID program are worthwhile and challenging.”

Teacher Testimonials:
“AVID has changed the way I teach every class. I know how to make sure every child ‘gets it’ using AVID instructional strategies.”

“I am always raising the bar instructionally. I am very aware of the questions that I ask because I want AVID students thinking at a higher level.”

“AVID students respect school and the way it is designed to help them. Studying for many of them is more involved now, not just an act.”

“AVID helps individuals succeed and creates team players. Many AVID kids are taking leadership roles in our school.”

“AVID encapsulates everything that I feel about the power teachers can have. At times it stresses you out and pulls you in a million different directions, but in the end, it’s worth it because it makes a difference.”

“One of my AVID students went from a 1.8 GPA to a 3.6 in one semester. This student is more confident and wants to go to college.”

“There was an 8th grade student last year that struggled in math since 6th grade. She always had math questions for tutorial,, and stayed after school for help. She felt she was making very little progress. After receiving her math grade at the end of the year, she
broke down in tears and said, ‘I’m not a dummy anymore.’ My response to her was, ‘You never were a dummy in my eyes.’”

“AVID is one of those courses that can offer so much to many different students. It provides a foundation for good note taking strategies, improves organizational abilities, teaches useful test taking methods, provides a lot of insight about colleges and careers, and helps to tweak students’ academic abilities to succeed or improve in rigorous courses, regardless of whether they are in the academic middle, upper middle, or lower end of
advanced levels.”