Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Farmington highlights career and technical education program

- LYNN KUTTER Lynn Kutter can be reached by email at lkutter@nwaonline.com.

FARMINGTON — Farmington High School staff, teachers and students highlighte­d the school’s career and technical education programs and courses Feb. 14 during a showcase held for the public.

The school’s first showcase opened in the Performing Arts Center with Superinten­dent Jon Laffoon and principal Jon Purifoy addressing people in the auditorium. Those attending were mainly Farmington school administra­tors; School Board members; some members of the public, including Mayor Ernie Penn; and others representi­ng career and technical education on the regional and state level.

Starlinda Sanders, career and technical coordinato­r for Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperativ­e in Farmington, noted that Farmington offers 11 career pathways on site, including business management, television production, computer science, cybersecur­ity, child care and nutrition, agricultur­e and marketing.

The high school partners with the community college to offer seven additional career programs, including certificat­ion as a nursing assistant. Students also can participat­e in classes at Northwest Technical Institute that include certificat­ions in HVAC and welding.

Laffoon said Farmington’s career and technical education classes provide transforma­tive learning experience­s for students in grades 7-12.

Farmington’s current career and technical education programs are computer science, engineerin­g, biomedical science, agricultur­e, business, AV technology and communicat­ion, and family consumer science.

Farmington High School also has career pathways through Project Lead the Way: preenginee­ring, biomedical and computer science.

Purifoy said he started what he calls the “7 secrets of our successful school” when he came to Farmington nine years ago.

These secrets include building strong relationsh­ips; high expectatio­ns for continuous growth; a guaranteed, viable written curriculum; goal-setting action plans with coaching; collaborat­ive planning in teams; monitoring; and data-driven decisions and common assessment­s.

“That’s what we strive for,” Purifoy said. “Our teachers know this.”

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