April 11, 2008
Albuquerque Journal
APS-UNM Partnership a Possibility
Journal Staff Report
New Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Winston Brooks has raised the prospect of a new partnership with the University of New Mexico that would develop a master's course in education administration tailored specifically to the needs of APS.
In return for paying the student's full tuition, the district would require the graduate to stay with the district for a set number of years.
Brooks established a similar program in Wichita for teachers wanting to become principals. He said the first 16 students under this program will graduate this year.
Brooks said UNM President David Schmidly was receptive to the idea during a meeting Wednesday. Brooks is in town this week meeting with district and community leaders.
Brooks also said he'd like to try another of his Wichita initiatives in Albuquerque.
Beginning next year, Wichita businesses will donate a total of $50,000 to pay for every district junior to take the ACT college entrance exam one time.
He estimated that a similar program in APS would cost about $100,000.
Brooks said the donations eliminate a financial roadblock that keeps many poor students from taking the fee-based test, opening the door to a post-secondary career for some who might have dismissed it otherwise.