Hendrickson High School
AVID
Course Syllabus
Instructors: Deborah Seiferman M.Ed. AVID Campus Coordinator/Elective teacher 9th, 10th,
11th
Office Hours 8:00a.m.-8:45-Tues& Wed. B Days 3:30-4:4:30 p.m. or by Appointment
Tutorial time Mon, Tues, & Thursday 4:15-5:15
Course Description:
Major Concepts/Content: Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) is an academic
elective course that prepares students for college readiness and success, and it is scheduled
during the regular school day as a year-long course. Each week, students receive instruction
utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum provided by AVID Center, tutor-facilitated
study groups, motivational activities and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate
in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization
and reading to support their academic growth.
Some students will have previous experience with AVID at the middle grades, and some
students will be experiencing AVID for the first time. Either way, the ninth grade AVID Elective
course will serve as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies. Students will work on
academic and personal goals and communication, adjusting to the high school setting. Students
will increase awareness of their personal contributions to their learning, as well as their
involvement in their school and community. There is an emphasis on analytical writing, focusing
on personal goals and thesis writing. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how
to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions.
Students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams, while
refining study skills and test-taking, note-taking, and research techniques. They will take an
active role in field trip and guest speaker preparations and presentations. Their college research
will include financial topics and building their knowledge on colleges and careers of interest.
AVID Curriculum Books Used:
AVID College and Careers
Implementing and Managing the AVID Program for High School
High School Writing
Organizing the AVID Student Binder
Strategies for Success
AVID Tutorial Guide
Preparing for College Grades 9-12
Supplemental Materials could include the following:
AVID Weekly, Supporting Math in the AVID Elective, Write Path content books, AVID Test Prep,
Road trip Nation Weekly, Focused Note-Taking
AVID’s Mission Statement is to close the achievement gap by preparing all
students for college readiness and success in a global society.
AVID Student Objectives: The Student will:
Succeed in rigorous curriculum
Demonstrate organizational skills required for future success in a four year university
Learn to think critically and how to ask probing questions
Use writing strategies to become focused note takers, to summarize new information answer
essential questions with critical thoughts, and critique written information
Become active leaders at the high school and in their community
Strive to obtain secondary school diploma and complete all steps necessary for enrollment in
postsecondary education
Format and Procedures Students will be expected to:
Be Prompt and prepared everyday
Respect all adults, peers and their selves
Follow all class directions and procedures
Complete all assignments in a timely manner
Participate in all activities
Follow Student Code of Conduct on and off campus (including dress code!)
Discipline procedures:
1st -offense- teacher warning
2nd -offense teacher warning behavioral essay
3rd- offense parent contact and lunch detention
4th offense- Disciplinary probation parent and student, teacher conference /afterschool
teacher detention
Any further offense will result in office referral and site team recommendation of
possible dismissal from the AVID program
**severe offenses will result in an immediate office referral**
Course Schedule:
Monday/ Wednesday, AVID tutorials AVID curriculum
Tuesday/ Thursday, AVID tutorials/AVID curriculum
Friday- Field trips, guest speakers, binder checks, motivational activities
Course Supplies:
3ring binder
8-10 subject dividers to separate classes including AVID
Zipper pouch
2 or more black or blue pens/pencils
2 or more red pens
Lined paper
Assignment book or planner
Parents student signed contract/syllabus
Grading Policy
Major Grades
8 or more per grading period
Category weight 70%
Minor Grades
10 or more a grading period
Category weight 30%
Binder test
Philosophical Chairs
Socratic Seminars
Final Process writing pieces
Projects
Presentations
Portfolios
Tutorials
Learning Log Test
Cornell note Test
Quizzes
Warm-ups and Quick writes
Journals
Components of the Writing Process
Learning logs
Cornell Notes
Group activities/Team Building
Computer activities\
Homework (10%)
Timeliness of Posting:
Teacher will use online grade book to post grades. Grades will be updated each Tuesday
by the end of the school day.
Late Work:
Students will be afforded the opportunity to submit late work during each 3 week
period of the 9 week grading period. Late work submissions must be submitted within 3
weeks of the original submission date. Teachers may extend the deadline for legitimate
student absences. Late work submissions in this regard must be a good-faith effort of
the assignment; trivial attempts of assignment will not be accepted or graded. The
teacher will determine the worthiness of the late assignment submitted. Late work
submitted will receive a grade no lower than a 50. Extra credit assignments are not subject to this late
work provision.