AVID Excel: A Focus on Long-term ELLs
Steve Elia
Program Manager:
English Learners & Student Outreach
English Learner College Readiness
Context for AVID Excel
• AVID has been a college-readiness presence in
secondary schools since 1980
• Nationally: AVID in 4,700 schools in 900+
districts
• CA: AVID in 1,578 schools in 412 districts
• Mission of AVID: to close the achievement
gap by preparing all students for college
readiness and success in a global society.
English Learner College Readiness
Context for AVID Excel
• ELLs have always been included in AVID, but
students at risk of becoming long-term ELLs
are typically NOT in traditional AVID or are
being underserved in middle/high school AVID
• 2006: James Irvine Foundation grant—began
explicit focus on ELLs
• 2008: Began English Learner College
Readiness (ELCR) initiative
English Learner College Readiness
AVID’s ELCR Initiative
AVID Mission
AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all
students for college readiness and success in a global society.
ELCR Mission
To ensure that English learner students
have full access to AVID and collegepreparatory coursework.
English Learner College Readiness
AVID’s ELCR Initiative
Components:
• AVID Excel (specifically LTELs)
• ELL Math & Science Training
• ELL Write Path book & training
• Infusion of ELL strategies into AVID curriculum
• Infusion of AVID into ELD courses
English Learner College Readiness
Goal: AVID Excel is
• a middle school pre-AVID program designed
•
to interrupt students’ path to long-term ELL status,
•
•
accelerate their language acquisition,
and put them on the path to AVID and college
preparatory coursework.
English Learner College Readiness
AVID Excel Student Profile: 6th Grade
US Schools: 4 years or more (as of
6th grade)—on the way to longterm ELL status
English Language Proficiency
Exam: Overall intermediate and
early advanced; may also include
advanced or RFEP
ELA Standards Test: Below
proficient (or on the bubble)—
usually basic and upper below
basic
College Aspirations:
Interested in going to
college; desire to achieve
ELA Courses: Usually
scheduled for general ed.
ELA courses (vs. ELD)
English Learner College Readiness
Explore how heritage
language courses can be
available
to students as
Professional
pathway to biliteracy & AP
languageLearning
in high school;
pursue Seal of Biliteracy
Content area and AVID
Excel teachers
• 2 years
of targeted
AVID
ExcelPL
• Work together to plan
Coursework
instruction
• Ongoing PL/coaching with
AVIDAVID Excel District Leader
Excel
Workshops for families to
Language development
build academic language
courses with AVID “overlay”
Middle
school college
“pre-AVID”
English
language
Family
together
and support
• Summer
between
6th & 7th,
Biliteracy
th,ELLs
th &
development
program for long-term
to
accelerate
readiness.
7th &
8
and
optional
8
Connection
AVID Excel is
part of AVID
9thand
grades
academic
language
acquisition
entrance to AVID
th grade
“family”—collaboration
is
• 7th grade
& 8work
and college preparatory
course
encouraged.
yearlong elective
AVID Excel
Course Sequence
7th Grade
Summer
7th Grade
Yearlong
8th Grade
Summer
8th Grade
Yearlong
9th Grade
AVID summer
(optional)
7th & 8th grade summers include community-based experiences
Common “Strands”






Reading
Writing
Oral Language
Academic Vocabulary
Study Skills
Self-determination/Leadership
English Learner College Readiness
The AVID Excel Course Sequence
What It’s NOT:
• NOT AVID for ELL
students
• NOT part of AVID
certification
What It Is:
Pre-AVID for ELLs
• PRIMARY FOCUS:
Language first
• Academic language
building with AVID’s
college readiness
strategies for support
• Pathway to 9th grade AVID
English Learner College Readiness
English Learner College Readiness
AVID Excel
Expansion
2012
2011
Tukwila, WA
2010
2008
Riverside, CA
(Expanded Pilot)
3 MS
Garden Grove, CA
(Original Pilot)
5 MS
Hillsborough, FL
2 MS
Vancouver, WA
Menifee, CA
3 MS
San Jacinto, CA
Mt. Vernon, WA
Perris, CA
Corona-Norco, CA
Palm Beach, FL
Preliminary research (pilot sites)
shows…
• Increased motivation,
resilience, engagement, &
academic risk-taking
• Increased oral language use in
formal register
• College preparatory course
enrollment in HS
• AVID elective acceptance in HS
• Fewer D’s & F’s (based on
comparison group)
• Accelerated movement on
CELDT (CA English
Language Development
Test)
• Increase in performance
levels on CST ELA (CA
Standards Test)
…longitudinal data will give us ELL redesignation rate; HS
graduation rate; college preparatory course completion;
college application and acceptance rate
English Learner College Readiness
Next Data/Research Steps
• Developing system for tracking all the
students in a district
• Goal: measure student achievement as it is
connected to adherence to the program—
looking for causal data
English Learner College Readiness
Appropriate Districts for
AVID Excel
• Underachieving long-term ELL subgroup
• Strong AVID reputation & feeder pattern (middle
level to high school)
• Commitment to college readiness for ELL
students
• Resources for curriculum, professional learning,
summer courses, tutors (Title I, III, EIA funds, &
grants, GEAR UP)
• AVID Excel District Leader designated (for
coaching & program oversight)
English Learner College Readiness
Beginning Implementation
Timeline
Jan-March
Summer
• Student recruitment
• Teacher selection
• Master schedule
planning
• AVID Excel Summer
Bridge planning
• AVID Excel
Summer Bridge
• Teacher training
(2 days in
summer)
• Fall planning
Spring
• Teacher training (2
days in April/May)
• Family engagement
• AVID Excel Summer
Bridge planning
English Learner College Readiness
What questions can I answer?
English Learner College Readiness
Contact Information
elcr@avidcenter.org
(858) 380-4800
English Learner College Readiness