FEATURED STORY
Embracing the New School Year: 5 Tips for Accelerating Collective Educator Agency
BY DR. LYNN KEPP, VP, LEARNING PRODUCTS & SERVICES
As we turn the page on summer and gear up for the exciting back-to-school season, I want to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared over the past few months. This summer has been a period of profound growth and learning, marked by dynamic Summer Institutes (SIs) that have invigorated the AVID community and equipped us with valuable insights. We appreciate those of you who joined us this summer and hope you will carry the inspiration and learning back to your schools. Our General Session speakers inspired us and reminded us of our why. For those who weren’t able to attend, we hope you had an energizing break and have opportunities to collaborate and plan with colleagues for the upcoming school year. Read More
The Power of Collective Educator Agency
Planning and anticipating the start of the school year is an exhilarating time for educators. We are curious about our students and wonder how quickly we can build a learning community. We are excited to implement new ideas learned during AVID summer professional learning, including the power of working with other educators to elevate our teaching and ensure student engagement and success.
This development of collective educator agency—defined as educators taking intentional actions based on shared beliefs and trust that, together, they can increase opportunity and measurable success for all students and each other—is a concept that underscores the power of a unified approach to teaching and learning.
When educators collaborate and implement strategies consistently, it fosters a supportive campus culture that enhances student experiences because there is a common instructional language used throughout the campus. Instead of operating in isolation, teachers work together, learning and strategizing with their Site Teams to ensure effective implementation. This collective approach accelerates transformation and enriches the educational environment schoolwide. When educators take common actions, students thrive and have clear expectations and consistent experiences across classrooms.
As you return to school, know you’re not alone and every new beginning is an opportunity to begin differently. When educators cultivate collective educator agency, it positively impacts the student community, fostering a unified and supportive environment for all that accelerates learning.
5 Tips for Accelerating Collective Educator Agency
- Build Strong Relationships: Invest time in building strong, positive relationships with your colleagues. Trust and collaboration are the cornerstones of collective educator agency and contribute to a more cohesive team effort.
- Develop Shared Goals: Align your team around common objectives and strategies. Connect these to site goals and revisit progress from last year, focusing on continuous improvement this year. Shared goals ensure that everyone is working towards the same outcomes, enhancing consistency and effectiveness in the classroom.
- Promote Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing professional development and learning. When educators continuously improve their skills and knowledge, it strengthens collective efficacy and enhances student learning.
- Leverage Collaborative Planning: Utilize team meetings to plan and review instructional strategies together. Consider connecting site goals to inform other team meetings. Collaborative planning allows for the exchange of ideas and ensures that strategies are implemented effectively across the campus.
- Celebrate Successes Together: Recognize and celebrate the achievements of your team. Celebrating successes fosters a positive and motivating environment, reinforcing the benefits of working together.
Interested in learning more about collective educator agency? Check out our podcast episode on AVID Open Access or watch our webinar.
Key Takeaways from Our Summer Institutes
Our Summer Institutes highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation. Here are some of the key takeaways:
- Enhanced Strategies for Student Engagement: We explored new methodologies to deepen student engagement and critical thinking, paving the way for more meaningful learning experiences.
- Provide Students with Rigorous Opportunities and Support: Equip students with the tools and support they need to succeed.
- Effective Use of Data: We examined data-driven approaches to tailor instruction and interventions, ensuring targeted support for every student's unique needs.
Share How You’re Building Collective Educator Agency on Your Campus
We’d love to hear on our social media channels how you’re fostering collective educator agency at your school! By working together and aligning strategies, we can enhance the learning experience for all students. Here’s how you can share:
- Highlight Collaborative Successes: Describe how your team is working together and the positive outcomes from these collaborations.
- Showcase Innovative Approaches: Share any new methods or practices that are enhancing collective educator agency.
- Describe Professional Learning Communities: Explain how your PLCs or similar groups are contributing to your collaborative efforts.
- Share Feedback and Reflections: Offer insights into what’s working well, areas for improvement, and reflect on the impact on your school culture and student outcomes.
- Engage With the Community: Invite others to share their experiences through social media, webinars, or collaborative blogs.
What are you doing to accelerate the development of collective educator agency so that you are multiplying your impact as educators? Good luck in the new school year, and we look forward to hearing from you!
With gratitude,
Dr. Lynn Kepp
VP Learning Products and Services
AVID Center
SPOTLIGHT
Insights from AVID Leader Frank Armenta for a Transformative School Year
We are thrilled to spotlight Frank Armenta in this August edition of our newsletter. Frank, who recently shared his empowering journey at the Sacramento Summer Institute, continues to inspire with his dedication and passion for education. For those who missed his impactful story, you can watch this video to delve into Frank’s start as an educator and discover how AVID has shaped his journey.
We recently sat down with Frank after his inspiring speech in Sacramento to uncover some key advice and tips for educators as they head back to school. Read More
Fostering Relational Capacity and Aligning the Work
Frank emphasized the importance of relational capacity and alignment within educational settings. As educators prepare for the new academic year, Frank advises focusing on building strong relationships with students and colleagues.
"My job now at the district level is really doing what I say my mantra is, and it's nested in the relational capacity and it's about aligning the work and removing barriers. Those are my main two pieces," Frank shared. He believes that aligning AVID’s work with a district’s mission, vision, and core values is crucial for effective implementation.
Frank’s approach involves integrating AVID strategies into every facet of school operations, from curriculum development to accountability measures. "Ultimately, it creates rigorous instruction for our students and ensures that we're advocating for our students," he explained. By aligning AVID’s principles with the district’s strategic plan, educators can create a cohesive and supportive environment that benefits both students and staff.
Removing Barriers and Encouraging Passion
Frank highlights the challenge of engaging students, particularly those who face various obstacles such as personal hardships. "How do we go above and beyond and be selfless in the sense that we're doing this now because they don't believe in themselves at times? High school students really struggle with the efficacy of graduating," he said, underscoring the power of a growth mindset. He encourages educators to harness their passion and determination to overcome barriers and support their students effectively.
As educators embark on this new school year, Frank’s message is clear: "Show passion in your work and make a difference in your students’ lives." He reflects on his own experiences and the profound impact that AVID has had on students, including those from underserved backgrounds. "Education has the power to transform people’s lives, it did for me," Frank says, reminding us of the powerful role educators play in shaping students’ futures.
Making a Difference in Students' Lives
Frank’s insights inspire educators to foster strong relationships, align their efforts with their district’s goals, and remain passionate about making a difference. "In Summer Institute, you're allowed that opportunity to take risks with your colleagues, to reflect on what worked, and to bring those new strategies into the classroom," he notes. This collaborative spirit is essential for driving innovation and success in education.
"The idea of creating consistent systems in our schools of instruction and accountability and opportunity for college and career readiness ultimately produces that culture that we want in our schools," Frank emphasized. His commitment to these principles is evident in his work and the impact he has on his students.
As you prepare for the new academic year, let Frank’s insights and experiences inspire you. Remember, the impact of your dedication can be life-changing for your students. "You just need someone like you to change that and give them that opportunity," Frank said. "Be a catalyst for change and connect the caring adult for the kid that needed to have someone believe in them."
Thank you for your commitment and for being a part of the AVID community. Here’s to a successful and inspiring school year ahead!
Nominate Yourself or Others to Be Featured in the AVID Spotlight!
Each AVID Community Newsletter will feature a Spotlight story, highlighting the amazing anecdotes out there in the AVID world from educators just like you! These stories are intended to inspire, make you smile, celebrate the good happenings among AVID students and educators, and more. Nominate yourself or others to be featured in the AVID Spotlight by completing the form to tell us your story.
Join Us in Celebrating AVID Day August 30, 2024!
Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego City Council have officially declared August 30, 2024, as AVID Day. San Diego City Councilmember and AVID alumnus, Raul Campillo, representing District 7, presented the proclamation to more than 4,000 educators attending the San Diego Summer Institute held July 31–August 2 at the San Diego Convention Center.
Download your AVID Day Impact Kit as part of your kickoff to the 2024–2025 school year.
Summer Institute season is here! As you prepare for SI, don't forget to plan for the dedicated Site Team time on Days 1 and 2. It is during this time that you take your learning and turn it into action so that you realize your desired impact on students. You'll see that impact (on both educators and students) during the New General Session Experience; we hope you will focus on how to realize that impact on your site during the first two afternoons.
During Site Team time, you will use the AVID Site Team Portal Summer Learning page to guide your work and set goals for your site. Principals and site coordinators should be prepared to lead their site in the goal-setting process and consider how to leverage collective educator agency to realize their goals. To help you prepare for this experience, we have created a checklist of things to consider prior to attending the AVID Site Team session at Summer Institute. The checklist addresses the preparation for both the District Director and the Site Team members.
We also wanted to remind you about the two new resources for 2024–2025. The AVID Site Team Manual includes many resources that will be helpful to your year-round work. Additionally, the Site Team Quarters at a Glance will replace the Site Team Months at a Glance as a roadmap for guiding Site Team activities throughout the year.
We hope that these resources help set the stage for your AVID Site Team sessions at Summer Institute. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your program manager.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming Summer Institutes!
Registration is Open for AVID Ignite® Fall Special Edition: October 1–2!
Experience AVID’s premier professional learning from the comfort of your home or classroom. This special fall edition will set you and your team up for success for the school year. Gain actionable insights and receive expert recommendations to pave the way for your AVID implementation! Whether you've got unused Ignite registrations or new staff members to train, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with AVID.
What Awaits You:
- 10 Communities of Practice (CoP) with 12 hours of personalized learning
- Opportunities to collaborate and learn from educators nationwide
- Expert insights and resources for campus-wide impact
- Up to 2 hours of Exclusive AVID Ignite Educator Agency Sessions
Register for AVID Ignite® Fall Special Edition
Help your students cross the FAFSA finish line by applying for $50 million in federal funds to keep your work going, even over the summer!
High school seniors' FAFSA completion is down 20.5% from last year; by supporting your students, you will help to close this opportunity gap.
Five out of 50 million reasons to #DoTheFAFSA:
- It is not too late for students to fill out a FAFSA application and get the money they need and deserve.
- Most FAFSA applicants receive some college funding, and more students than ever now qualify for financial aid.
- The form is simpler and can be completed in as little as 10 minutes.
- Past issues with the form have been resolved, and students should complete the FAFSA application and get started on their future.
- "Summer melt" is a serious concern for the class of 2024!
.png?width=625&height=375&name=Ignite%20Fall%20Special%20Edition%20(500%20x%20300%20px).png "Ignite Fall Special Edition (500 x 300 px)")
Save the Date: AVID Emerge Virtual Learning, Sept 25–26!
We are excited to announce our upcoming AVID Emerge virtual professional learning session this fall, scheduled for September 25–26, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. PT. If you were unable to attend our summer sessions, this is an excellent opportunity to focus on implementing best practices and routines to assist multilingual learners in your classroom.
We warmly welcome new subscribers to join as well and learn more about integrating AVID Emerge into your multilingual learner instruction. Your participation will not only enhance your teaching skills but also contribute to our growing community of educators committed to multilingual learner excellence.
To register, please click HERE.
Should you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact us at emerge@avid.org.
The AVID Collective Educator Agency Survey takes approximately 5 minutes for educators to complete and provides insight into the extent to which educators on a campus take intentional actions based on shared beliefs and trust that, together, they can increase opportunity and measurable success for all students and each other. The AVID Student Agency Survey takes approximately 6 to 7 minutes for students to complete and helps educators understand the extent to which students are building relationships, persisting through obstacles, and activating academic and social awareness skills.
For best results/utility, the survey should be administered to all educators on a campus and/or all students on a campus. There will be a 6-week administration window, from mid-October to the end of November, 2024. After participating, campus/district leaders will be provided with a school-level summary report that also includes an overall summary of national findings.
Participation in these surveys provides helpful information that is aligned with AVID’s Framework and with parts of AVID’s CCI. Site Teams can also use these data to inform targeted efforts to monitor student growth and development as a reflection of implementation fidelity and return on investment.
We encourage you to review the User Guide for each survey by clicking the links below:
Questions can be directed to Jeff Huerta at jhuerta@avid.org.
Get Excited—AVID Creator Planet is Coming Soon on Roblox!
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of AVID Creator Planet on Roblox, starting the week of September 3! This innovative game is designed to engage students in grades 9–12 with dynamic, game-based learning experiences that develop durable skills essential for their future success. Read More
Why AVID Creator Planet?
AVID Creator Planet leverages the engaging and interactive environment of Roblox to help students build problem-solving skills, collaborate with peers, and think critically and creatively. Through a series of challenges and obstacles, students will navigate scenarios that require them to use limited resources effectively as a team to build a new world.
Two Types of Lessons to Support You
1. Open Access Lessons
- Available for free to all educators on AVID Open Access.
- Aligned with ISTE and NGSS standards.
- Feature career connections with videos from professionals in 3D immersive game design and development.
- Designed to support durable skill development in your students.
2. Weeks at a Glance (WAG) for AVID Elective Educators
- Specifically developed for high school educators teaching the AVID Elective. Will be rolled out during terms 2–4 of the 2024–2025 academic year.
- Aligned with AVID Essential Skills to bring the AVID College and Career Framework to life.
- A sampler of the WAG lessons will be available at launch to give you a sneak peek into the AVID Elective curriculum.
Mark Your Calendars
- Week of September 3: Launch of AVID Creator Planet on Roblox, Open Access Lessons on AVID Open Access, and the AVID Elective Weeks at a Glance lesson sampler.
- Terms 2–4, 2024–2025 Academic Year: Rollout of WAG lessons for AVID Elective educators, grades 9–12.
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to check out AVID Creator Planet this September. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr. Michelle Magallanez at mmagallanez@avid.org.
AVID National Conference Registration Opens August 13!
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming AVID National Conference, December 12–14, 2024, at the Sheraton Dallas in Dallas, TX. Registration opens on August 13, 2024. Be sure to take advantage of early bird pricing and secure your spot at this must-attend event. AVID National Conference 2024 is an opportunity to hear from thought leaders and experts in education who will inspire and challenge us to think differently about teaching and learning, participate in interactive sessions designed to provide practical tools and strategies that you can implement in your classroom and school, and connect with fellow educators, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships.
We look forward to seeing you in Dallas and working together to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Learn more about AVID NatCon 2024
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools plans to join together more than 4,000 charter school leaders, board members, educators, and advocates to its annual conference this year in Boston, MA. NCSC24 is the largest national gathering of charter school leaders, shaping the future of public education. The audience meets at the conference to stay ahead of new tools and trends in education and to be inspired by the leaders and innovators in the charter community. Don’t miss your chance to be where the movement meets.
Hear From District Leaders on How AVID Is Supporting Their Students
Curious what happens at the Regional AVID One-Day District Leadership Community of Practice? Join Dr. Jeff Kim, IrvineUSD Board Member, as he interviews district leaders about how AVID is shaping students' college and career readiness.Summer Institute season is here! As you prepare for SI, don't forget to plan for the dedicated Site Team time on Days 1 and 2. It is during this time that you take your learning and turn it into action so that you realize your desired impact on students. You'll see that impact (on both educators and students) during the New General Session Experience; we hope you will focus on how to realize that impact on your site during the first two afternoons.
During Site Team time, you will use the AVID Site Team Portal Summer Learning page to guide your work and set goals for your site. Principals and site coordinators should be prepared to lead their site in the goal-setting process and consider how to leverage collective educator agency to realize their goals. To help you prepare for this experience, we have created a checklist of things to consider prior to attending the AVID Site Team session at Summer Institute. The checklist addresses the preparation for both the District Director and the Site Team members.
We also wanted to remind you about the two new resources for 2024–2025. The AVID Site Team Manual includes many resources that will be helpful to your year-round work. Additionally, the Site Team Quarters at a Glance will replace the Site Team Months at a Glance as a roadmap for guiding Site Team activities throughout the year.
We hope that these resources help set the stage for your AVID Site Team sessions at Summer Institute. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your program manager.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming Summer Institutes!
What’s Changed?
AVID WEEKLY®
August AVID Weekly® and AVID® Elementary Weekly
We heard your feedback and made some changes to start the AVID Weekly cycle a month early this year! The new cycle will run August 1 through June 30, providing 10 months of new content. Visit the MyAVID portal to see the new AVID Weekly and AVID Elementary Weekly lessons that were just published inside your MyAVID portal. AVID Weekly and AVID Elementary Weekly is a terrific resource with ready-to-go lessons that use critical reading strategies applicable across all content areas, bringing disciplinary literacy to life in every classroom so every student can be college-, career-, and life-ready. Read More
Check out our video lessons created for the AVID Elementary Weekly:
• Whoo and Choo
• Time to Eat
• Interview With Kevan Kamibayashi, Chief Field Engineer, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
Visit one of our August AVID Weekly lessons, exploring engaging questions like these:
• Should plastic production be limited?
• Does Google have a monopoly on search engines?
• Did AI just create the world's best cup of coffee?
Additional note-worthy updates:
1. Beginning August 2024, AVID® Elementary Weekly: Literacy Connections Schoolwide will use Lexile® text measure ranges to determine article levels. Texts will be divided into four grade bands: Pre-K–K, 1–2, 3–6, and 6–8. The Lexile measure will be included in AVID Elementary Weekly articles. We encourage partners to utilize Lexile® measures to match appropriate texts with student needs and align with district and site college and career readiness expectations.
2. Monthly Roadtrip Nation college and career video interviews will be featured in AVID Elementary Weekly and AVID Weekly®. AVID Weekly will contain standalone videos. AVID Elementary Weekly will include videos with accompanying lessons. Roadtrip Nation videos and lessons can be leveraged, broadening students' understanding of various college and career options.
3. All texts from Highlights for Children, Inc. will be available in an updated PDF format that supports text-to-speech tools for additional student support.
To browse available lessons, visit MyAVID. Once inside MyAVID, click the eLearning ribbon to find the tile for “AVID Weekly and AVID Elementary Weekly.” In addition to streamlining the AVID Weekly and AVID Weekly Elementary user experience with fewer clicks to access content, we have included the archive to access content from previous cycles. Check out our resource today!
AVID SCHOOLWIDE ADVISORY
Planning Ahead for Student Success
Is your site looking to enhance or start an advisory curriculum which challenges, supports, and provides skills to all students? Visit the AVID Schoolwide Advisory page to learn more about what you can be doing now to plan for student success this year with the AVID Schoolwide Advisory curriculum. Read More
The All Things Advisory page provides resources, including how to get started, an implementation guide, sample schedules, best practices, and more. As the school year comes to a close and you set goals for next year, consider which instructional routines and content units will best support your students. See the AVID Schoolwide Advisory page and implementation guide for information about how to plan, gather resources, and train staff.
AVID WEEKS AT A GLANCE (WAG)
August WAG Updates
WAG Revision Project Update
1) Official WAG Launch: Site Refresh and Term 1 Units Posted 📆
Welcome to the 2024–25 Weeks at a Glance! Please note the following improvements:
- New grade level syllabi available for 2024–25. Look for the “Download Syllabus” button!
- Term 1 Guides refreshed with CHOICE Days built in for 24–25
- Download buttons added for units and lessons to make teacher prep easier
- Term dates updated to reflect the 2024–25 rollout:
- Term 1 was posted on August 1, 2024
- Term 2 will post Fall 2024
- Term 3 will post late Fall 2024
- Term 4 will post Winter 2025
Learn more in the Weeks at a Glance Revision Project Updates.
2) Senior Spotlight 🔦
Senior AVID Elective teachers! To support your important work with more than 60,000 AVID seniors each year, we are spotlighting some new or recurring resources in this Senior Spotlight section. Check it each month to see what has been highlighted for you.
For August, there are new or refreshed resources in the WAG for 12th grade.
- The 12th Grade College and Career Readiness Framework unit is refreshed for 2024–2025. Find it in the first week of Term 1.
- A new Senior Year: Ready! unit is posted in Term 1. This collection of lessons gets seniors ready with all the start-of-year tasks they need to accomplish.
- Tutorology® Senior Year: Term 1 prepares seniors to transition from traditional tutorials into Senior Tutorials, including forming their own groups, creating their own TRFs, and taking on new leadership responsibilities.
3) Key Updates 🗝️
AVID Elective Standards and Essential Skills
Beginning in the 2024–2025 school year, the AVID Elective Standards (Middle School, High School) are revised to align to the AVID Essential Skills. The new WAG terms cover these revised standards, as well as incorporating current AVID curriculum and best instructional practices. Find more documents on the AVID Elective Standards webpage.
Sample Week in AVID Elective
The WAG has moved from Framework Fridays to CHOICE days, which represent a variety of lessons aligned to the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework and are delivered once a week. Look for new units on Relational Capacity, along with other instructional routines, such as Assessing Organization, to use on CHOICE days.
Community Archive
Thank you for all you do, and thank you for being you!
From all of us at 
