Organization and School Leadership Faculty Publications and Presentations

Examining Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) and its Impact on Middle School Rigor and Student Preparedness

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2013

Abstract

This study examines the impact that Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) in middle school has on middle school course rigor and students’ high school performance and college readiness. The study compares students who took AVID in middle school and high school with students who only took AVID in high school. The changes in middle school course rigor for schools implementing AVID were also examined. Quantitative data from AVID seniors were gathered via an online data collection tool while qualitative, short-answer survey data were collected from AVID coordinators, teachers, and administrators. Responses indicated that AVID has some impact on schools’ and districts’ rigorous course offerings. Findings reaffirm the notion that the longer a student is engaged in college preparation activities and AVID in particular, the more prepared that student is for high school rigor and college. When compared to seniors who only participated in AVID while in high school, seniors who participated in AVID in both middle school and high school exhibited greater academic performance, were more likely to take rigorous courses, and took, on average, more AP courses and AP exams.

First Page

24

Last Page

37

Publication Title

American Secondary Education

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