OBAE News:
ALBUQUERQUE — More than 1,100 students, teachers and staff at two Albuquerque charter schools are now connected to the state’s broadband education network, providing the schools access to faster and more secure internet.
The Albuquerque School of Excellence (ASE) and Archer Academy of Accelerated Learning became the latest schools to join the Statewide Education Network (SEN), a comprehensive broadband system that provides school-centric, high-speed internet. The SEN is an education network that’s connecting New Mexico schools and districts. The network enables schools to share classes, clubs, meetings and social and health needs, providing high-quality educational resources for teachers and students.
The SEN has now connected ten school districts and charters, totaling 223 schools and nearly 114,000 students, teachers and staff. Ten other school districts/charters, including 103 schools and nearly 60,000 students, teachers and staff are pending SEN connections in the coming months.
“The SEN connection will strengthen our ability to provide students with equitable access to online learning platforms, credit recovery programs, college and career resources, virtual learning opportunities, and instructional technology that supports personalized learning,” said Anna Phillips, executive director of Archer Academy of Accelerated Learning. “This connection not only enhances instructional opportunities but also improves communication, operational efficiency, and access to digital resources that support student achievement and graduation outcomes.”
“These added connections reaffirm the state’s commitment to help schools with more secure technology that improves education outcomes,” said Ovidiu Viorica, SEN’s broadband and technology manager. “Students across New Mexico can rely on the SEN connections to interact and collaborate with others while accessing quality resources, leading to productive returns for our children and state.”
ASE has 942 students, teachers and staff who will have access to the SEN while 232 students, teachers and staff at Archer Academy will be connected.
“Reliable internet access allows teachers to deliver instruction more effectively, provide timely feedback, and engage students in meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for life beyond high school,” said David Rios, computer science teacher at Archer Academy. “This connection expands opportunities for our students and helps ensure they have access to the same digital resources as students across the state.”
The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) administers the SEN, which handles daily operations and cybersecurity of the network, while taking the administrative burden of procuring, contracting and paying for internet service off individual schools. It also manages applications for federal E-rate subsidies.
Participation is optional for schools.
The network aims to interconnect all New Mexico schools in the next three years. For more information on the SEN, visit: connect.nm.gov/sen.