Ampersand &

Hey,
I have a problem when adding the & into the url.
i need to figure out a way on how to paste an & from actionscript into a URL.
Without using %26 or & , because & breaks the url link in actionscript / javascript.
is there a way that i can add or declare the & as a variable or string or something?!

for example:
else if (y==3) {
var = &;
link=_root.clickTAG + & +“gradyear=” + container.optionlist.year2;
getURL(link,"_blank");
}
that dosent work but im hoping somebody gets the ideo of what i am trying to do:
i want the url to look like this for example
http://www.school.edu/?brf=&gradyear=1997

I tried it with the %26 but i dont get the desired effect.

Please help,
im pulling my hair out at this point,

best,
V