• Pedro Noguera speaking at AVID National Conference

    COLLABORATIONS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS

    At AVID, we actively promote innovation in education and support leaders from other sectors and initiatives who eye that same positive advancement. Our valued partnerships create shared opportunities to inform and spur discussion around the best and most innovative ways to support student success in the classroom and beyond.

  • Bridging the Soft Skills Gap

    How the business and education sectors are partnering to prepare students for the 21st century workforce

    In 2017, AVID collaborated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to produce a report on how educators and businesses can work together to make an impact by teaching students the ”soft skills” of professional communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and time management skills, which are highly valued by employers across sectors.
  • Bridging the Soft Skills Gap

    The report highlights Nike CEO Mark Parker’s $9 million commitment in 2007 to establish the Nike School Innovation Fund (NSIF) in partnership with Beaverton School District, Hillsboro School District, and Portland Public Schools. The core of NSIF is a granting and innovative mentorship program, implemented in partnership with AVID. AVID was chosen because the grants directly impact the classroom and students, especially when it comes to preparing students with the soft skills needed to be successful in college and their career. Download the white paper.

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    SHAPING A NEW GENERATION: EDUCATIONAL SUMMIT

    The advantage that technology brings to education and how to stay ahead of the curve

    In 2016, AVID brought together leaders in education and technology to discuss the convergence of technology in the classroom and the implications for the future of learning. As technology advances, critical elements of AVID’s instructional methodologies—such as highly engaged teaching, collaboration, and critical thinking—will continue to be key components of success in the classroom.

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    Dr. Ronald Ferguson

    Faculty Co-Chair and Director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard University

    ”Institutions need to find ways to make learning experiences rewarding so that kids come into school and feel a sense of belonging, a sense of confidence, and a sense of influence.” Download the white paper.

    Dr. Ferguson actively works with school departments and agencies at all levels of government on efforts to raise achievement levels and close achievement gaps. His research and work in the field culminated in publishing Toward Excellence with Equity: An Emerging Vision for Closing the Achievement Gap, a book used in graduate-level policy courses. His latest book is Aiming Higher Together, Strategizing Better Educational Outcomes for Boys and Young Men of Color.

    Jaime Casap

    Educational Evangelist at Google and Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University

    ”Think about young children now: Whatever the latest and greatest technology is at this very moment is the worst technology that child will ever see in their life.” Download the white paper.

    Jaime evangelizes the power and potential of the web, technology, and Google tools as enabling and supporting capabilities in pursuit of fostering inquiry-driven project-based learning models. He collaborates with educational organizations and leaders building innovation and iteration into our education practices. He speaks on the subject of technology, education, and innovation around the world. In addition to his role at Google, Jaime serves on a number of boards, including the Arizona Science Foundation, Seed Spot NEXT, and Inquire Schools. He serves as an advisor to dozens of organizations focused on education, technology, and equity. Jaime is also an adjunct professor at Arizona State University, where he teaches classes on policy, innovation, and leadership.

    James Whittaker

    Distinguished Technical Evangelist at Microsoft

    ”It turns out that predicting the future is incredibly accessible because the future is a tweak of the present.” Download the white paper.

    James is a passionate and visionary leader who has held numerous positions at multiple companies and has shipped major software titles at IBM, Microsoft, and Google. He has published dozens of peer-reviewed research papers and authored five award-winning and bestselling technical books.