Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) at a Postsecondary Institution: Support for First-Generation College-Goers

Abstract

This study examines how a selected Hispanic-Serving Institution is implementing Advancement Via Individual Determination as a strategy for improving retention and time to graduation for 1st-generation Hispanic college students. A quasi-experimental design approach was used in which the retention rates and 1st-semester grade point averages of a freshman cohort enrolled in a paired set of courses were compared to those of a control group and a similar intervention group. Focus group data were also used. Though few statistically significant differences were found between the intervention groups with regard to grade point average and retention, students benefitted from the support received in the paired classes.

Keywords:

• postsecondary education
• Advancement Via Individual Determination
• developmental mathematics
• retention
• Hispanic-Serving Institution
• learning community

Notes

¹AVID in higher education is new; it was originally conceived of as AVID Postsecondary and has been renamed AVID for Higher Education.