Publication Sneak Peek

The Cutting Edge

This segment features content from other AAEA publications. The Cutting Edge is a monthly publication available to AACTEA members. The following excerpt comes from the September 2024 issue.

Arkadelphia Starts Agriculture Science Program

The district’s new agriculture program drew the interest of over 100 high school and junior high students for its inaugural year. Three introductory courses will be taught at the high school, and two intro courses are being offered at the junior high. By next year the school district will select from two of the five agriscience disciplines which will likely be Animal Systems and Power Structure & Technical Systems (formerly known as Ag Mechanics). Those two career pathways will serve the needs of area businesses surveyed prior to Arkadelphia’s launch of the agriscience program. Local employers are constantly looking for trained workers and a skilled, available workforce is crucial to economic development. This new program will increase the local pool of skilled individuals. The program’s inaugural year is being funded by the school district, with hopes that by next school year the state will provide grants to purchase equipment.

Black River Technical College and AR Army National Guard to Partner

Black River Technical College (BRTC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Arkansas Army National Guard. The BRTC/ Arkansas Army National Guard MOU lays the groundwork for increasing curriculum and instruction collaboration. This will include additional out-reach by recruiters visiting area high schools and Guardsmen serving as guest speakers in BRTC classrooms, particularly focusing on the durable or soft skills that are required by business and industry. This partnership is the first in the state of its kind.

NLR 7th Street School to Become NLR 6 Academy of Agri & Veterinary Sciences

Recently the North Little Rock Board of Education approved the renaming of the Seventh Street Elementary School to North Little Rock 6 Academy of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. The name change, which will go into effect in the 2025-2026 school year, is a nod to the six black teenagers who tried to integrate North Little Rock High School in the fall of 1957.

In collaboration with the Seventh Street Community Advisory Board (CAB), including industry partners, parents, school staff, and community leaders, the school will implement an Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences-themed school. The purpose is to better engage students in the teaching and learning process through real-world applications. Selecting the Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences theme will expose students to project-based learning and problem-solving strategies in all subject areas. Click HERE to learn more about this transformation.