Since 2017, Inflexion has partnered with the AVID Center to support its mission of closing the opportunity gap and preparing students for college readiness and success. Inflexion conducted pivotal research projects, including a nationwide “Bright Spots” study and psychometric validation of AVID’s school certification model. By providing actionable insights and empirically defensible tools, Inflexion helped AVID refine its certification process, foster schoolwide implementation, and ensure the continued success of its elective programs.
Client Background
The AVID Center serves over 8,000 schools and more than 2 million students, equipping academically at-risk students with tools for success in rigorous coursework such as AP, IB, and dual enrollment classes. The AVID elective provides targeted support, including tutoring, organization, and time management skills, ensuring students thrive in challenging academic environments. Beyond the elective, AVID works to expand its strategies schoolwide, creating systemic improvements that benefit all students.
Collaborating with Inflexion
AVID’s mission to close the opportunity gap relies on rigorous research and effective certification processes. AVID partners with Inflexion to identify “bright spots”- schools excelling under similar conditions- to understand how schools could successfully implement strategies beyond the elective program, expanding them schoolwide
AVID also sought Inflexion’s expertise to refine their certification model to reflect their evolving goals.The existing certification model required an empirical foundation to ensure consistency and credibility. These challenges required a research partner who could navigate the complex dynamics of school systems, deliver actionable insights, and adapt to AVID’s evolving needs.
Inflexion’s Approach
Inflexion’s partnership with AVID is defined by its ability to deliver actionable research, refine complex processes, and support AVID’s evolving mission. Across multiple projects, Inflexion has provided:
- Rigorous Methodologies– Inflexion applies advanced research techniques, including psychometric validation, qualitative analysis, and cross-site comparisons to deliver credible, data-driven insights.
- Collaborative Problem-Solving– By maintaining open communication and iterative feedback loops, Inflexion ensures that AVID’s needs are met with flexibility and precision.
- Tailored Solutions– Every project is customized to align with AVID’s goals, whether it’s identifying best practices, refining certification models, or designing frameworks to recognize schoolwide success.
- Pragmatic Recommendations– Inflexion balances rigor with practicality, delivering insights and tools that AVID can immediately apply to improve outcomes for students and schools.
- Long-Term Partnership– As one of AVID’s go-to research partners, Inflexion consistently delivers high-quality work that adapts to the organization’s priorities and timelines.
Selected Research Projects
Inflexion’s work with AVID encompasses a range of impactful projects that illustrate the ability to tackle complex challenges and deliver actionable insights that support AVID’s mission to close the opportunity gap:
- Bright Spots Study
Inflexion conducted a nationwide study to identify schools excelling in AVID schoolwide implementation. Through site visits, focus groups, classroom observations, and stakeholder interviews, the team created detailed case study profiles and a cross-site analysis. These findings informed AVID’s strategies for replicating success across its network. - Certification Model Validation
Using advanced psychometric techniques, Inflexion validated AVID’s certification framework, ensuring reliability and fairness. This work established an empirically defensible system for recognizing schools as Certified, Highly Certified, or Certified with Distinction. - Updated Certification Framework
In collaboration with AVID, Inflexion is revising the certification model to better emphasize the elective program while providing additional recognition for schoolwide implementation.
Results
Inflexion’s collaboration with AVID has delivered measurable and impactful results that have strengthened the organization’s ability to support students, educators, and schools. Through projects like the Bright Spots Study, Inflexion provided actionable insights into what drives successful schoolwide implementation of AVID strategies, enabling other schools to replicate best practices. The psychometric validation of AVID’s certification framework established a credible, data-driven system for evaluating and recognizing schools, ensuring that certification levels reflect meaningful achievements.
These results have not only improved AVID’s certification processes but also enhanced their ability to meet evolving goals. The ongoing work to revise the certification model reflects AVID’s strategic shift to emphasize the critical role of the elective while also recognizing schoolwide implementation. By combining rigorous research, practical recommendations, and collaborative problem-solving, Inflexion has empowered AVID to close the opportunity gap more effectively, helpin succeed in rigorous coursework and prepare for college readiness.
