College momentum

Bonham eighth-grader Evelyn Portillo never knew making better grades could be so good.

And, she said she owes it all to her college-readiness elective class, AVID - Advancement Via Individual Determination.

Through improving her study skills and work ethic, the 14-year-old said she's received an iPod speaker, a Playstation 3 and a digital camera from her parents because of her improved grades.

"My grades just popped up," she said.

But more importantly, she said, she now knows a four-year college degree is also within her grasp.

Following high school graduation, Evelyn plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study nursing
Evelyn's one of 500 ECISD seventh- to 10th-graders currently enrolled in the AVID program, which focuses on helping students who make mostly B's and C's become smarter about studying, test-taking and college preparation.

The elective class, implemented in ECISD in August, helps students understand what it takes to enroll in a four-year university.
Evelyn and her Bonham classmates spend two days a week with college-aged tutors to work on class assignments and to also talk about the future.

She said she's learned more about college and what to expect, which she admits she wouldn't get in a regular class.
"Now, I'm prepared," she said.

Bonham AVID teacher Amanda Hart said her students, like all AVID students, keep track of their assignments in a three-ring binder and the course and teacher hold students accountable for their actions and work.

In addition, her class uses exercises to get the students' brains working through developing better listening, discussion and critical thinking skills.

Hart said she's found many students don't know about higher education or how their grades in junior high and high school contribute to their success.

She said she frequently asks her students: "Instead of sitting in class and making time pass by, what do you want?

"It's a lot of lifestyle changes and thinking things through," Hart said, adding that many students come to her with not only class problems but also social issues.

Bonham eighth-grader Megan Hinojos said AVID's helped her set objectives for herself as a student.

"It helps me achieve a goal - any goal that I want," the 14-year-old said, noting she aims to become the valedictorian in her AVID class by the end of the year.

District AVID coordinator Dianne Mata said AVID helps students in the "middle of the road" realize their potential, saying the district had many opportunities for gifted students but limited programs for students who earn B's and C's.

The program helps students in the middle learn about better study skills and how to apply for college and financial aid.

"They don't know how to begin the process," Mata said. "What AVID does is it provides that support system for those kids."
Mata said ECISD plans to become a certified program following its first year in operation.

This year's AVID students will "rollover" into next school year's program, which adds a year annually. For example, this year's 10th-graders will move up in the program as 11th-graders.

The idea is for the program and their AVID teacher to follow them throughout their junior high and high school careers, Mata said.
Odessa High AVID teacher Rita Woodall said she and her 35 sophomores in AVID support each other.

"You just become real close and like a family," she said.

 She said toward the beginning of the year her students seemed to not know what to expect, but many of her students have improved their study and writing skills through working in the program.

"They realize, ‘I can do this,' " Woodall said. "They've become motivated."

Some students enter the class with skepticism because of the work, organization and expectations, Megan said.

But, she's found that many of her classmates seem to have changed their minds.

"In the end, they come out to say, ‘I want this,' " Megan said.