INFORMATIONAL LETTER# 47

POLICY CODE:  IHCD

TO:                 TO: Superintendents, High School Principals, High School Guidance Directors, Curriculum Coordinators, Gear Up Directors, and Advanced Placement Coordinators

FROM:           Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner

DATE:            October 18, 2004

RE:                 Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Seminar, November 12, 2004

The Maine Department of Education, in conjunction with the Connecticut State Department of Education, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), and the College Board, is pleased to offer a unique staff development opportunity on November 12, 2004 at the Holiday Inn, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  It is open to all administrators, principals, guidance directors, curriculum coordinators, and AP coordinators.

Prompted by interest about programs and strategies that will help to close the achievement gap, this offering is designed to address a critical and timely topic:  the underachievement and under representation of diverse young people in our most challenging courses of study at the secondary level.  The daylong seminar, called “New England AP-AVID Symposium,” will focus on the following questions:

v     What is AVID?

v     What are the benefits of AVID?

v     What is the research behind AVID?

v     What are the linkages between AVID and the Advanced Placement Program?

v     What local models support the collaboration between Project AVID and the Advanced Placement Program?

v     What do students see as the benefits of linkages between Project AVID and the Advanced Placement Program?

Complete information about the conference agenda is enclosed in this packet.

The Maine Department of Education has funding available for the implementation of the AVID Program for eligible schools in order to provide support to students participating in Pre-AP and AP courses.

The Maine Department of Education and the Advanced Placement Incentive Program is pleased to cover the registration and meal costs for those participants in districts who meet the 40% low-income criteria.  The cost is $50 per person for all other districts that do not qualify.  The cost for teams of 3 participants is $100. Attached is a list of eligible schools. If you are interested in attending this conference, please fill out the registration form that is included in the flyer and mail or fax it to the address indicated on the form.  The deadline for registration is November 1, 2004.  You will receive a registration confirmation one-week prior.  There are a limited number of spots reserved for Maine participants, so please register early.

We have reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, should you decide to drive up the night before.  The special rate for lodging is $109.95 per night, plus tax (single or double occupancy).  Please call (603) 431-8000 to make reservations.  Please request the College Board rate when making reservations.  Only districts qualifying will be reimbursed for hotel expenses.

We look forward to seeing you on November 12, 2004 at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  If you have any questions, please contact Wanda Monthey at (207) 624-6831 or wanda.monthey@maine.gov.

Conference Registration Form

Holiday Inn

300 Woodbury Avenue

Portsmouth, NH

November 12, 2004

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

First Name: _______________________________  Last Name:__________________________

District: ________________________________ School:________________________________

Billing Address: ________________________________________________________________

School Address: ________________________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________________ Fax: _________________________________

Email_________________________________________________________________________

Please fax or mail registrations by November 1, 2004 to:

Nancy Lamontagne

Maine Department of Education

23 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333

(207) 624-6821 Fax

	Directions to the Holiday Inn 300 Woodbury Avenue Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 431-8000 I-95 North & South Exit 5 to Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Exit onto Woodbury Ave.