Farmington Scores Well On PARCC

FARMINGTON -- Farmington students scored well on the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers tests given in spring 2015.

Test scores also show that Farmington students fared well, when compared to other schools in Northwest Arkansas.

Stephanie Pinkerton, assistant superintendent, reported on PARCC scores at the Farmington School Board meeting Jan. 25. Pinkerton handed out a report that showed how Farmington students compared to other schools in Northwest Arkansas.

"Overall, we're happy with how we fared in the region," Pinkerton said. "We have some outstanding scores and also some areas we could have improvement."

Last year for the first and only time, PARCC was administered to children in grades three through 10 statewide. Previously, students took the Arkansas Benchmark Exams. Gov. Asa Hutchinson then directed the Arkansas State Board of Education to drop PARCC and choose the ACT Aspire test, which students will take this spring.

Pinkerton said PARCC was a new assessment for students, which makes it hard when comparing with other schools but she noted all students did take the same tests, so comparisons can be made.

Her report compared scores for 18 school districts in Northwest Arkansas, including districts larger and smaller than Farmington. Tests were scored Level 1-5, with Levels 4 and 5 showing that a student met or exceeded academic expectations. A Level 3 score meant that a student approached academic expectations.

Third grade performed the best, when compared to other regional schools. For third grade, Farmington's average score was second in the region on both the math test and the English and language arts test.

In other business, the district's technology department presented the school's new website, which was launched in January. The district has an automated call system which allows it to contact parents or students through email, text, twitter or phone calls.

"We can notify 2,500 people in 30 minutes," said Jodi Hendricks with technology.

The school's website can be found at farmcards.org.

In action items, Farmington School Board met in executive session to complete the evaluation for Superintendent Bryan Law. In public session, the board voted to extend Law's three-year contract through 2018-19.

"As a board, we think Mr. Law is going a great job," said Jeff Oxford, board president. "We've built a lot of new facilities and have another one getting started. We've done this without raising the millage rate for our taxpayers. Mr. Law has done a great job managing our finances."

The School Board also approved a request from the high school to allow the junior class to have the 2016 prom at Brand New Church in Farmington. The prom usually is held on campus and board approval is required to go off campus.