Equity and Access:Academic Achievement in an Urban High School

Speakers

• Kirk Ankeney, Principal, San Diego High School of International Studies, CA

• Nirit Cohen-Vardi, College Advisor, San Diego High School of International Studies, CA

• Sylvia James, AVID Coordinator, San Diego High School of International Studies, CA

• Tonia Berman, Teacher, San Diego High School of International Studies, CA

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Research

• Stanford University—Small Schools Initiative– Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

• Brown University—Changing Systems to Personalize Learning– Change had grown successfully in these high schools through a

pattern of ongoing interaction among students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members—all with the purpose of improving student learning. To sustain personalized learning, the whole system has to be engaged in an ongoing dialogue about improved student learning (Clarke, 2003).• Educational Alliance at Brown University (LAB)

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Catalyst for Change

• California Department of Education Grant– Increase the percentage of students who are

accessing state grant funds for college• Dr. Ann Johns, Professor Emerita– Dept. of Rhetoric & Writing Studies– AVID and San Diego State University partnership• AVID focus moved from College Readiness to

College Competitiveness

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Goal and Predicted Outcome

• To increase the number of students accessing rigorous curriculum.– Vehicle: support classes• AVID and IB Support

• Access + Support = Success

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Freshman Year

• Student population—Resident and Magnet• Application process– Accept all students that apply within deadline—No Criteria

• Emphasis—AVID for All– Acclamation to high school– Success in the 9th grade year

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AVID Methodology

• Cornell Notes• Time Management • Tutoring• Socialization• Inquiry Method• Technology

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Sophomore Year• Increase in rigor– 80-85% of 10th graders are in advanced classes

• Continued support through IB Support– Mathemagicians• After school enrichment under the auspices of the math

department• Staffed by 6+ Seniors• Tutoring

• Saturday sessions for GATE Enrichment• College awareness—Personal Project

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AVID Senior Seminar Jr./Sr.

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College• Comparison Chart• SAT Prep• ACT Prep• Essay prompts• Presentations• Speakers

Academics• Leadership paper• AP US History prep• Tutorials• Writing

Workshops/MLA• Socratic Seminar• Reflective statements

Junior Year• Continued Support

– IB Support—1st semester– AVID Sr. Seminar Junior Year—2nd semester

• AP US History—80% participate; 71% pass rate• College Trip—AVID and AP US History• Additional Support

– Saturday sessions– Before, during and after school tutoring– Student lead support groups

• Opportunity for SAT Prep Course– Partnership with Princeton ReviewAlvarez/James/Vardi

Junior Year• IB for All

– Vehicle: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) for All• Access to IB classes– Two year concurrency

• Students self select IB Diploma or IB Certificate• AVID

– Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)– Extended Essay (EE)

• IB tutorials– Teacher or peer directed sessions

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Senior Year

• Continued Support– AVID Sr. Seminar Senior Year—1st semester– IB Support

• College Applications and Financial Aid • Webinars• IB Tests– 80-85% are taking one or more IB exams– 77% pass rate

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Compilation of Support Systems

• Professional Development• Parent workshops– Transcripts and Articulation– College workshop– Financial aid workshop

• College workshops for students– College essay workshop– Financial aid workshop– Scholarship workshop

• College Admissions PresentationsAlvarez/James/Vardi

Mission Statement

To engage, enlighten and empower all students to live successfully in a global community.

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AVID Grade Level Total AVID % AVID

Senior High AVID 159 156 98%

AVID Jr. Seminar 130 85 65.3%

AVID Sr. Seminar 122 105 86%

Year Number of IB

Candidates

Number of Registered Candidates

Number of Exams

Administered Including TOK

and EE

Number of Exams

Administered Excluding TOK

and EE

Number of Exam Scores

4 thru 7

Percentage of Exams taken that scored 4 or

above

Number of Diploma

Candidates

Number of

Diplomas Awarded

2010 23 138 455 397 292 76% 29 17

2009 22 124 377 329 251 76% 24 14

Site Data

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"B" English Access "B" English Success "C" Mathematics Access "C" Mathematics Success90%

91%

92%

93%

94%

95%

96%

97%

98%

99%

100%

97% 97%

98% 98%

A-G Access and Success

Success Rate

College Bound

• 91 out 106 accepted to a 4 year school86%• 87 out of 106 will attend a 4 year school

82%• 89 out 106 took 1 or more IB exams

84%• Avg. SAT I Scores: V=531, M=538,W= 547,

Total=1620

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Crystal Alvarez, AVID Tutor and Counseling Intern.

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