Wakulla County School System Praised for Successful AVID Program

Bill Montford, Executive Director of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents praised the school system, the AVID teachers, and Mrs. Beth O’Donnell for implementing the AVID program and making it work at the March Board Meeting.  Assistant Superintendent Beth O’Donnell explains the program, “AVID is an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination.  AVID is a national program that targets good, hard-working students who are determined to go to college but who might be overlooked for recommendation to Honors and Advanced Placement classes in high school.  It is a support class in 8th grade and continues throughout high school to assure students’ preparation for college and their success once they get there.  Students are recommended by their teachers as having this potential and then are invited to apply to the program.  Many of them will be first generation college graduates in their family.”

{sidebar id=1}Bill Montford, presented Assistant Superintendent Beth O’Donnell with the AVID Excellence in Leadership Certificate which she received after 2 years and 130 hours of staff development.   Montford was a driving force regarding the selection of Florida Partnership Grant recipients in Florida.  The grant includes funding for AVID and other Advanced Placement and College Board endeavors.  Mr. Montford said, “It is with all sincerity that I share across the State that Wakulla County School District keeps students in mind when decisions are made.  When considering Florida Partnership grant recipients I knew that not only would students of today benefit but the multiplying effect would touch students of tomorrow.  Mrs. O’Donnell is like a mother hen who oversees this program and ensures its success.”

Superintendent David Miller adds, “In this first year we have 75 students involved in AVID which includes one 8th grade class at each of the middle schools, and one at 9th grade at Wakulla High.  Next year we will be expanding to 125 student grades 8 through 10.  This is a high level program that gives students who want to work hard the tools to be confident about their abilities to perform in college and to feel like they belong there.  AVID teachers Katherine Spivey, Donna Sullivan and Nancy Floyd Richardson, along with WHS Site Coordinator Sunny Chancy and all the teachers who use AVID strategies make the difference.  Without their dedication, this program would not have taken off.”

Pictured L-R:  AVID Teachers, School Board Chair Becky Cook, Assistant Superintendent Beth O’Donnell, FADSS Executive Director Bill Montford

This article originally published on March 23, 2010.

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mkwestmark

 

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