What: During a special ceremony, 408 Baltimore County Public Schools high school seniors will be honored for their successful completion of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. The event will feature remarks from BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance, Community College of Baltimore County President Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis, several AVID students and Regan Farley, a member of the BCPS AVID Class of 2008 and Lincoln University Class of 2012.When: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Where: The Community College of Baltimore County - Catonsville
L Building – The Athletic and Wellness Center
800 South Rolling Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
Background: AVID is an international program that accelerates the academic progress of students in the “academic middle” and prepares these students for college.
Thus far, 98.8 percent of 2013 AVID class members have been accepted into four-year colleges, and they report earning more than $15.4 million in scholarships. New Town High School has the highest single-school scholarship total in program history at $4.8 million. New Town senior Ebe Inegbenebor, who also distinguished herself by serving as the student member of the Maryland State Board of Education, set an individual record with scholarship offers totaling $1.4 million.
Four other high schools have topped the $1 million scholarship mark for AVID students: Kenwood, Patapsco, Pikesville and Towson.
Among the BCPS AVID scholarship recipients is Parkville High School senior Zahara Kazmi, who was named one of only 303 national Dell Scholars for the Class of 2013. The honor includes a $20,000 college scholarship along with mentoring, computer technology, a summer orientation, an online community for mentoring and peer interaction, and other support. Funded by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the program serves students who have completed approved college readiness programs.
This school year, 2,236 BCPS students participated in AVID at 22 high schools and eight middle schools. The key components of AVID in BCPS are: a daily AVID elective class focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration and reading; rigorous courses and critical thinking skills’ focus on organizational and management skills; college preparation and tours; PSAT/SAT training and practice; paid AVID-trained college tutors from Civic Works (an AmeriCorps program); continuous professional development for school staff; and career goal planning.
Data shows that, in Baltimore County schools, AVID improves attendance, increases student participation in highly rigorous courses (such as Gifted and Talented, Honors, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement), increases PSAT participation, and increases High School Assessment pass rates in algebra, biology, government and English.
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