Monroe County highlights STEM accreditation, career certifications and a $200K pledge for IT certificates

District STEM and CTE staff updated the board on Dec. 10 on accreditation, student competitions, industry certifications and work-based learning partnerships.

STEM accreditation and programs: STEM coordinator Donna Tedesco described Cognia’s review process and praised district partnerships — notably the Monroe County Education Fund and Project Lead The Way — for districtwide STEM programming. She highlighted an annual underwater-robotics competition for middle schools and the district’s Ocean Guardian School pilots that link ocean-literacy outcomes with local partners such as John Pennekamp and Key West Botanical Gardens.

CTE growth and incentives: Caroline Bluskey (CTE) said the district offers 15 CTE programs across its three high schools and has embedded industry certifications that generate state CAPE funding. Certification counts increased from the low hundreds to more than 1,600 last year. The Golden Fleece Foundation has pledged more than $200,000 to incentivize IT certifications; payouts range (middle-school level-1 certifications at $50 up to $1,500 for top-level certifications), and some high-level certifications also carry college credit at Florida colleges.

Workforce pathways: The MOVE internship program placed roughly 132 students with local employers (examples: Florida Keys Aqueduct, Marathon Parks and Rec, Sheen Health), creating direct employment and pipelines into local jobs. Staff said they are exploring additional industry partnerships and marketing of certifi