A Study On Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID): An Articulated Program Between Secondary And Higher Education In America

The disconnection between higher education and secondary education is anoteworthy issue in educational theory and practice. Since1950s，the United Stateshas developing a variety of educational programs in order to help students to completethe transition from the high school stage to a higher one. Advancement via IndividualDetermination,“AVID” for short, is one of them which was established in Clairemont HighSchool, San Diego, California in1980. Now, AVID can contribute hundreds ofthousands of students admitted to colleges and universities each year in United Statesand some other countries. By the impact of the Back to Basics movement, thepopularization of higher education and the desegregation movement in schools, AVIDexhibits some special properties in analysis and resolution the issue of disconnectionbetween higher and secondary education.In order to dissect and discuss the historical background of the formation of theprogram, the problem-solving focus, the way to achieve articulation and the effect ofAVID, in this study, some educational research methods are used, such as literature,history, comparative method.The study discovers under the influence of particular backgrounds andcircumstances, the attention of AVID is middle-level-performance students. Byimplementing the elective course which can improve the learning abilities in WICOR,AVID will help students promote academic performance and admitted in the colleges.Three operational phases of the program include preparation; implementation andevaluation require supports of organization, activities, research and funding. Datashow that AVID effectively help middle-level students enroll in college and getbachelor degree in six years. It also narrows the gap of the higher educationenrollment rate among ethnics. However, there are two deficiencies of AVID,including the absence of conclusive educational evaluation tools and cannot functionindependently.To sum up, this study has the following four conclusions. The focus of thisarticulated educational program is the development of elective courses to help studentsmaster the learning ability. The control of non-intelligence factors plays an importantrole in the course implementation. Need to develop a long-term plan from theelementary education to achieve the college-going dream. Finally, improve theconstruction of organization and personnel to ensure the unity of the impact ofarticulated education.