AVID

Background

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a college preparatory program for students in the middle who are often economically disadvantaged and underachieving. It enables disadvantaged secondary students to succeed in rigorous curricula, enter mainstream activities in school, and increase their opportunities to enroll in four-year colleges. Developed in 1980 by Mary Catherine Swanson, AVID has seen steady growth throughout California, nationally, and internationally in the last 26 years.

Purpose

The California Department of Education (CDE) has administrative oversight of the grants with the regional centers and a contract with the AVID Center. The CDE works with the regional centers and AVID Center to expand and support the AVID program in local middle and high schools by:

• Expanding AVID to more schools and students
• Providing essential support to the expansion of AP
• Providing adequate statewide professional development support
• Maintaining the high quality of program and student outcomes