CTC selected for AVID postsecondary pilot program

Central Texas College is one of several Texas colleges and universities selected to implement a new postsecondary program established by the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Center and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Known as the AVID Postsecondary System (APS), the program is part of the AVID College Readiness System for grades 4-16 and designed to increase student academic success, persistence and completion rates in postsecondary institutions.

The four-year project will be implemented in the upcoming fall semester and provide a full range of academic support services using AVID strategies for first-time, students who are not ready for college-level coursework. These services include the AVID Seminar course, tutorials, faculty development and a variety of student support systems that continue through graduation.

In addition to CTC, the new program will also begin at Southwest Texas Junior College, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, the University of Houston-Downtown, the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas-Permian Basin.

The selected institutions will begin by planning a year-long AVID course for freshmen students that will reduce the barriers that traditionally limit levels of academic achievement and provide academic and advising support. The course will also help students develop critical inquiry skills and become independent learners.

“Some students begin their college careers unprepared for the rigors of studying and the dedication needed to succeed academically,” said Jennifer Nichter, CTC retention coordinator. “The AVID program can supply the necessary tools to help students achieve in the college environment and furthermore, be successful in their chosen career path.”

The AVID Center will work with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to collect data on these AVID postsecondary students during the four-year period to determine the effectiveness of the AVID program.

Jim Nelson, AVID's executive director said, “I think we can expect our AVID Postsecondary system will be as successful as the AVID program in elementary, middle and high schools across the country. We teach students academic skills and give them the support that instills confidence to take and be successful in rigorous courses.”

AVID is a 30 year-old, non-profit college readiness system preparing underserved (predominantly minority and economically disadvantaged) students for college. APS, the most recent addition to the AVID College Readiness System, was established to work with institutions of higher education to support students with the goal of increasing academic success, persistence and completion rates. 

Of the 2009 high school graduates participating in AVID, 99.6 percent graduated with 92 percent planning to attend college. Since 1990, more than 65,300 AVID students have graduated from high school and planned to attend college. Today, AVID's College Readiness System is implemented in nearly 4,500 schools in 45 states, the District of Columbia and 16 countries/territories. It serves more than 400,000 students in grades 4-12. For more information, visit www.avid.org.