The Best College Readiness Program

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Say "college readiness" not "college prep;" because getting prepared for college shouldn't be just cramming for the SATs. In the AVID program it's learning to manage your life, how to break down a difficult issue and use the Cornell method of note taking emphasizing questions.

AVID is Advancement Via Individual Determination, created by an English teacher helping 32 kids from low income families develop academic and life skills. Schools pay for trained college tutors who work with kids, $14.50 hourly and more after they graduate. High school tutors are used if schools lack funds.

AVID tutors spend 40% of time with students not showing them how to solve tough problems, but to ask questions that will help them think.

AVID has grown rapidly with 93 schools in the Washington suburbs, 250,000 kids in 48 states and foreign countries with more than 90% going on to college.

Read more in The Washington Post.