Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Avid topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bellflower Unified expands AVID; district cites improved outcomes but flags ongoing costs
Summary
District staff reported growth of AVID since 2021 with expansion into elementary sites, teacher training and measurable student outcomes (higher A‑G completion and GPA for AVID students). Presenters estimated annual program costs (membership, PD, institutes and tutors) at roughly $500,000–$600,000 and said tutors are paid from site budgets.
District staff described a multi‑year expansion of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) that began in 2021 with electives at Bellflower Middle and High School and expanded to elementary pilot sites in 2023. Presenters said AVID implementation uses WICR instructional strategies (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, reading), site teams, tutor‑supported tutorials and district professional development.
At Bellflower High School presenters cited outcome data: "87 percent of our AVID seniors completed A‑G requirements compared to 46 percent of Bellflower seniors, 42.3 percent across BUSD, and 53.6 percent statewide," a presenter said, using those figures to illustrate AVID—s impact on college‑readiness metrics. Presenters also said AVID students show higher GPAs than the wider cohort (presenters reported AVID student GPA ~3.15 vs. district average ~2.68 in 2024–25) and noted investments in PSATs, AP placement analysis and college visits.
Board members asked about costs, tutors and student selection. Presenters said membership fees are modest per site ("about 5,300 for secondary sites and 3,600 for elementary") but that summer institutes, professional development and district coordination drove most program costs; staff estimated total annual expenditures for AVID implementation and training around $500,000–$600,000. Tutors are a site expense and site budgets cover tutor stipends, presenters said. Selection for AVID elective cohorts uses an application and interview process focused on students in the academic middle who show potential and commitment.
Next steps include scaling AVID strategies to primary grades, pursuing showcase school status at select sites, and continuing site walkthroughs and certification work with AVID coaches.
