Sept. 29, 2016
Revolutionizing Virtual Learning by Bringing AVID Online
(Provided by CalPac, Thursday, September 29, 2016)
The school year is in swing and so many wonderful new programs are starting at CalPac. Among them is AVID. While AVID itself is not a new program, turning it into a virtual elective class is, adding just another reason why CalPac stands out from other virtual schools in California. CalPac is one of the first free virtual public schools to offer AVID online to students throughout California.
What is so great about AVID? The answer is what isn’t great about AVID. It’s whole focus is reaching students by giving them the study and critical thinking skills they need to excel in their classes and move on to a 4 year college or university, especially students in the academic middle.
But above all AVID stands out because it gives students in the online program a school family that supports them through each grade level. This family is made up of peers, teachers, support staff, parents, the school counselor and principal, all working towards building student confidence and success.
With this confidence students are more willing to participate in class discussions, collaborate on projects, and complete assignments. And confident students are successful students who turn into successful adults.
So what exactly is AVID? AVID is a program that prepares students for college readiness using a rigorous curriculum centered around WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination. This means that students in the online AVID class chose to be a part of it and are determined to take an active role over their learning.
AVID is taught as an elective class that students take in addition to their regular coursework. Students attend an AVID live session in the virtual classroom 4 days a week. For the first year CalPac is only offering the AVID elective to select 7th and 8th graders, however we will be expanding into high school next year.
At CalPac, AVID strategies and skills are not just contained to the AVID elective class. AVID Strategies, such as Cornell Note taking and increased writing opportunities, have become part of all classes at CalPac! Students are pushed to take Cornell Notes in their online coursework and virtual live sessions. Teachers are also expanding student interaction by providing chances for students to write, reflect and summarize during virtual live sessions as well.
All of this connects to the larger goal that both the AVID program and CalPac share; preparing students to be college and career ready in a global society. With common core and new state tests dominating the education discussion, AVID also provides one more way to prepare students to be ready to meet the challenges of the Smarter Balanced Test.
AVID and CalPac are the perfect pair and we are so excited to see the leaps and bounds our AVID elective students make during our first year offering AVID online. If you are interested in learning more about AVID please visit their website: www.avid.org. We would also love to have more CalPac students join the AVID team too! If you are interested in being a part of AVID please visit our AVID page on the CalPac website:http://www.cal-pacs.org/cal-pac/avid.html.
Contact Us Today @ (855) 225-7227.
Email - enroll@cal-pacs.org
