I don't know how closely readers follow Kansas budget issues, but funding for the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science is on the list to be eliminated due to our severe revenue reduction.
KAMS is to be the state's premier academic high school program for Kansas' best and brightest high school students. Based in part after successful programs in Missouri and Texas, KAMS will be a unique residential learning experience that provides exceptional high school juniors and seniors a potent blend of
* college-level instruction by PhD faculty;
* a high school diploma and 72 hours of college credit;
* the option to receive an associate's degree upon graduation;
* hands-on research supervised by PhD scientists;
* leadership development and civic engagement opportunities;
* co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities to develop the whole student;
* a safe campus and residential environment; and trained support staff.
If you'd like to join in the fight to keep KAMS alive, there's a letter after the jump that you, your friends, and family should feel free to personalize. All you need to do is fill in your Senator's or Representative's name & office number, your information and any changes you would like to make. You can find your own Kansas legislators here.
Stay up-to-date with KAMS developments at the KAMS blog.
November 24, 2008
[position and name of legislator]
[office number]
Kansas State Capitol
300 SW 10th Street, RM
Topeka, KS 66612
Dear [position and name of legislator],
I am writing to express my support for the Kansas Academy of Mathematics & Science (KAMS) at Fort Hays State University and to strongly encourage you to prevent the elimination of KAMS.
Gov. Sebelius' budget office is recommending that funding to KAMS be eliminated for a savings of $900,000. By eliminating this funding, the state of Kansas will effectively be eliminating the program altogether. The staff currently working successfully to recruit students will have to be laid off, no students will be enrolled in fall of 2009, and when the economy eventually rebounds this program will have been forgotten.
I believe that the elimination of KAMS' funding would be extremely shortsighted. This program was created to help Kansas retain its best and brightest students. By eliminating this program, I believe that Kansas will continue to lose young, talented Kansans to other states. The elimination of KAMS is particularly disheartening when you look at states surrounding Kansas, states like Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri, and Texas that have seen fit to develop and support similar programs. If these states can work to retain their brightest citizens, why can't Kansas?
I understand that with the downturn in the economy full support of KAMS may not be possible, but I urge you not to eliminate funding entirely. I am sure that a reduction in support could be dealt with by KAMS. While a reduction would be painful to a new program, it would enable KAMS to survive and help in the fight to create a stronger Kansas.
Thank you in advance for your support of the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science.
Sincerely,
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posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
