# Albuquerque Public Schools

Bradford Allison, Ph.D.

Superintendent

June 13, 2001

Dear APS Colleagues, Members of the Legislature, and Members of the
Business Community:

As Superintendent of the Albuquerque Public Schools, I've been extremely
fortunate to have worked shoulder to shoulder with many remarkably
talented and capable people within the district and the business
community and at the state level. I know that these exceptional people
welcome the opportunity to contribute to improving life in New Mexico in
countless important areas and especially for the benefit of our
children.

The most urgent message that we in New Mexico and, indeed, the entire
nation have been hearing in recent years is that our public schools are
in trouble and our children are not globally competitive in math and
technology-related curricula. The conscientious efforts of New Mexico
teachers, as well as the sincere and generous contributions of our
political and business partners, have already made a positive
difference. However, additional creative programs and resources are
needed if we are to provide our children with the most comprehensive and
appropriate K-12 education possible. Our children need a relevant
education that prepares them to pursue higher education goals or enable
them to start meaningful internship employment with high-tech business.

In addition to the well-publicized urgency of revitalizing K-12
education programs, government agencies and businesses are now voicing
strong concerns about the scarcity of graduates, at high school and
post-secondary levels, for future employment in technology-related
areas. The expressed need for a prepared, technology-literate workforce
can no longer go unaddressed.

Sandia National Laboratories recognized the need for a new "pipeline" of
qualified future employees several years ago. Acting on that need, with
Department of Energy/Defense Programs funding, SNL created the *Advanced
Technology Academy*, a program to engage students in math, science, and
technology and, at the same time, ensure a stable pipeline of potential
technical employees. The *Academy*, which was first instituted at West
Mesa High School and is a proven success, is now also a strong presence
at Albuquerque High School. In upcoming years, the *Academy* students,
who started the program at West Mesa High School in 1997, continued
their education at Albuquerque TV-I in a variety of technology-related
fields. SNL has since hired five and six are completing their studies at
TV-I. Each year the *Academy's* presence in the school has seen an
increase in student participation, engagement, and graduation.

I would like to emphasize the *Advanced Technology Academy*, in
cooperation with SNL's *Advanced Manufacturing for Education* program,
does not pigeonhole students. Rather, it provides numerous career
pathways that increase their options and opportunities for
post-secondary education and meaningful employment with significantly
higher compensation and benefits. Career pathways available to
participating students include computer applications, computer-aided
design (CAD), and web design, machining and materials processing,
automotive and transportation technologies, and pre-engineering math and
science.

Current data show that approximately 50 percent of students in New
Mexico are at risk of not graduating from high school. This is a
sobering statistic. The *Academy* is designed to, above all, reduce the
student drop-out rate. In so doing, the *Academy* is succeeding in
engaging students early on, as a group, in a support structure that
cultivates a balance relationship with teachers and excites them about
hands-on, inquiry-based math, science, and technology related
curriculum.

I'm writing to you now because we have a unique and precious opportunity
to engage our students, particularly those who have been historically
underrepresented in technology-related fiends, in a proven program that
meets their educational and career-planning needs, enhances our
education system, and satisfies a serious employment need for SNL and
many local technology firms. By partnering, we can construct and expand
an outstanding education program that, first and foremost, meets the
career planning needs of our children and, at the same time, grows a
well-prepared technical workforce.

As the *Advanced Technology Academy* has been nurtured along in recent
years, I have met with SNL representatives and Academy teachers. I can
tell you that all associated with the *Academy* are dedicated to growing
it into a district-wide program that serves the needs of the community
and can be used as a model throughout the state and nation.

To promote the program, SNL created a jazzy, soft-rap video called *Put
a Little Science in Your Future*, which they are pleased to say has won
nine national and two international awards. The video and colorful
companion brochure and PowerPoint presentation are readily available for
your viewing and use. In addition, I encourage you to visit their
attractive, very informative web site at
<http://www.sandia.gov/HighTechHighSchool/>[.]{.underline}

I invite you to add your name to the ever-growing list of partners of
the *Advanced Technology* Academy. Together, we can build a
community-sponsored education model that provides our children with the
best technology-related education possible. I urge you to contact the
Sandia National Laboratories DOE Programs Coordinator, Dominique Foley
Wilson at 884-1315 or <dfoley@sandia.gov>.

One last thought: when you take action to begin your partnership with
the *Academy*, please let me know. I'm excited about the incredible
opportunities for growth and creativity that will occur when your
greater community works together for our children. Thank you for taking
the time to read this letter and, especially, for taking the first step
toward involvement.

Kindest regards,

Brad Allison, Superintendent

Albuquerque Public Schools