Question Everything

How AVID levels the playing field, helping underserved studentscome out aheadIn Question Everything, award-winning education writerJay Mathews presents the stories and winning strategies behind theAdvancement Via Individual Determination program (AVID). With thegoal of preparing students for the future - whether thatfuture includes college or not - AVID teaches students thepersonal management skills that will help them survive and thrive.Focused on time management, presentation, and cooperation, the AVIDprogram leads not only to impressive educational outcomes, but alsoto young adults prepared for life after school. This book tells thestories of AVID educators, students, and families to illustrate howand why the program works, and demonstrates how teachers can employAVID's strategies with their own students.Over the past thirty years, AVID has grown from a singleteacher's practice to an organization serving 400,000 middle- andhigh-school students in 47 states and 16 countries. QuestionEverything describes the ideas and strategies behind the upwardtrajectory of both the program and the students who take part.* Learn which foundational skills are emphasized for futuresuccess* Discover how AVID teaches personal management skills in theacademic context* Contrast AVID student outcomes with national averages* Consider implementing AVID concepts and techniques into currentcurriculaAs college readiness becomes a top priority for the FederalGovernment, the Gates Foundation, and other influentialorganizations, AVID's track record stands out as one of success. Byleveling the playing field and introducing "real-world" realitiesearly on, the program teaches students skills that help them in theworkplace and beyond.

Introduction 1Taking AVID Home 7Tortuous Journey of a Teacher's Idea 15Boise Schools Changed by Love 29"Prove to Me You Got an A in Everything" 35Showing America How to Take Notes 43Teachers Afraid of Tough Courses 47Asking Rather Than Answering Questions 59Bringing the Power of Tutoring to El Cajon High 71Santa Barbara Rejects AVID 79"Our Teacher Said We Couldn't Take the Test" 87AVID on 60 Minutes II 91Changing the Mess at Bell Gardens High 99Three Days at the Summer Institute: A Crash Course in AVID 105"I Don't Care If I Have to Haul You Down There Myself" 117Losing It in Atlanta 125Inside Tutoring 129"Don't Give Me That, Akila" 135Looking for More Mr. Searcys 141Struggles of an Average AVID Program 147A Friend, a Teacher, a Mentor 161Checklist for AVID Greatness 167All Students Need More of a Challenge 173Taking AVID to the Other Side of the World 181New York Site Team's Philadelphia Adventure 189"Precious Is Making a Big Mistake" 195Escaping Death, Making AVID Cost-Effective 201Research Results: Slow Groups Make You Dumb 205Surprise Leader Creates Giant AVID District 211Up and Down in Chicago 215From 7-Eleven to AVID 223Spreading AVID to Elementary School and College 231A Veteran Superintendent Becomes AVID Leader 239McKay Wins One in Madison, Indiana 245Conclusion 251About the Author 255Acknowledgments 257Index 259