Charles A. Dana Center hosting institute that enhances underserved students’ academic success

AUSTIN, Texas—The University of Texas at Austin’s Charles A. Dana Center will be co-hosting this year’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Summer Institute June 26-30 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

AVID, a highly successful college preparation program for underserved students, has been adopted in 31 Texas school districts and has played a key role in improving student performance in Texas and across the nation. The institute will provide educators from more than 109 Texas schools with in-depth study and training in the AVID methodologies and mission.

Texas AVID graduates Luci Allen and Charlotte Bates will be two of the featured speakers at the Summer Institute luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The students, both graduates of Sam Houston High School in San Antonio who are now attending college, will describe the impact of the AVID program on their academic success. AVID founder Mary Catherine Swanson will be the keynote speaker at the Friday luncheon.

In Austin last year, 14 of the 32 students in the top 10 percent of Lanier High School’s freshman class were AVID students. This fall more than 5,000 Texas students will receive AVID’s academic support.

AVID serves more than 65,000 middle and high school students in 1,500 schools nationwide. Now in its 21st year, AVID has earned an unmatched record of success. In the past two decades, more than nine of every 10 AVID graduates have enrolled in college. Nearly all remain enrolled two years later. For African American and Latino participants in AVID, the college-going rate is 150 percent higher than the national average.

The Dana Center, a research unit of the College of Natural Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin, works to improve education in ways that promote equity, access and excellence for all students, especially disadvantaged and minority students. Since its inception in 1993, the center, with more than 100 staff and a budget of more than $11 million a year, has become a leading force in reforming mathematics and science education in Texas.

For further information contact: Chuck Powell 512-475-8797.