Writer supports teaching AVID at I.S.D. 166

I’d like to speak out for the AVID program offered to students at ISD166. After reading the outraged letter from Paulina Backstrom in last week’s paper, I decided to investigate the program. Was she right? I learned that AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. Hmmm… That sounds good to me. Isn’t that what we want for our young people?

I researched AVID online and spoke with Megan Myers, our school principal, who enthusiastically supports this curriculum. AVID’s mission is “to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society.” Oh, I get it. The words were in the wrong order. This is NOT an elite college prep course; it’s a program to build academic and interpersonal skills to help ALL students succeed. It helps them take charge of their learning, develop positive peer relationships, and set personal goals.

I believe every student needs this program, particularly after spending two years sitting in front of a computer for distance learning. Principal Myers explained to me that she had been investigating this program before COVID but that it is even more critical now. Because of the solitary nature of distance learning, students have slipped both academically and interpersonally, and Myers believes that the skills presented through AVID can help them bridge those achievement gaps. The five areas of focus are Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. All of which will help our young people succeed.

I taught a class called Interpersonal Communication, and many scoffed at the concept. It was fun, though, and I believed in the skills I was teaching, most of which are included in this program. I’m pleased to say that many former students have told me that class was one of the most valuable in their high school education. Communication skills, goal setting, and collaborative skills were included in that curriculum, as well as a good bit of self-exploration. Our kids are fortunate to have AVID curriculum to help them develop these skills.

Let’s see—which is more useful, study hall or AVID? The answer is pretty clear to me.

Ann Marie Mershon, Retired English teacher