Real stories. Real educators. Real impact. | View in Browser
In Action
March 2026
See how schools nationwide are unlocking opportunity—master schedules that open doors, reimagined testing, relationship-driven teaching, and summer learning that meets educators wherever they are.
Rethinking the Master Schedule: A Gateway to Opportunity
At Ridge Point High School, leaders rebuilt the master schedule around what students actually wanted to take—analyzing demand early, staggering hard‑to‑schedule courses, expanding online and summer options, and reallocating staff to open more Advanced Placement and AVID Elective sections. By saying “yes” to AVID and student ambition, the school created space for opportunity: nearly 20% more students took AP courses, AP scores of 3+ climbed from 64% to over 82%, and 100% of AVID seniors were accepted to 4-year universities. Ridge Point shows how a master schedule, done right, can unlock access for all.
Rethinking Testing: Games, Stories, and AI-Powered Questions
In this episode, three innovative educators share how they’re reimagining assessment through active, authentic experiences, including student-designed games, “choose your own adventure” storytelling, interdisciplinary projects, and even AI-enhanced question design. If you’re looking for fresh ways to make assessment more meaningful, engaging, and aligned to deeper learning, this conversation is packed with practical ideas you can use right away.
Celebrating “Unc” Wedlow: Proof That Relationships Are an AVID Strategy
Rick Wedlow, an AVID teacher at Lawrence North High School, Indiana, known as “Unc” to his students, creates a family-like environment built on trust, encouragement, and a shared commitment to college and career readiness in his classroom. His motto, “Keep chopping wood,” inspires students to show up, stay focused, and believe in their futures.
“He wants us prepared for anything that happens,” one of Rick’s students says. “I can say this for everyone. He’s more than just a teacher. He’s like your best friend, basically. He purposefully builds a personal connection with every single student.”
Try This Takeaway: Strengthen belonging by pairing AVID instructional strategies with intentional relationship-building. Greet students consistently, use quick check-ins during tutorials, or add reflection prompts to focused note-taking. Small routines build big trust.
AVID Elementary Research:
What Educators Say Happens
After Meaningful Professional Learning
Recent findings point to a clear pattern: When educators engage in ongoing professional learning, it strengthens classroom practice.
Greater confidence using WICOR®
More consistent strategy use across lessons
Stronger signs of student growth
In short: When teachers keep learning, students keep gaining.
AVID Virtual Live™ gives educators 12 hours of live online professional learning sessions in Communities of Practice and no travel costs. Participants collaborate, learn from, and connect with colleagues across the country.
Just ask AVID Elective Teacher Tamieka Thomas, who said of her virtual professional learning experience, “The level of interaction through breakout rooms, shared digital resources, and real-time strategy modeling mirrored the best elements of in-person learning.”
AVID Summer Institutes™ and AVID SI Pop-Ups™ Coming to 11 Cities Across the Country
For those who are able to travel, AVID Summer Institutes are happening across the country throughout June and July.
New Communities of Practice Starting in June
AVID Elective Level 3, for seasoned teachers who want to elevate their instruction and their students’ learning with strategic lesson design, advance student agency, and deepen their impact.
Strategic Leadership for College and Career Readiness, for a team of district and school leaders who want to drive change using practical strategies and sustainable systems to anticipate and troubleshoot obstacles in order to ensure all their students are college- and career-ready.
