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Duplin County Schools wins Cognia STEM certification; district highlights STEMA career pathways
Summary
District staff told the board Duplin County Schools earned Cognia STEM certification and reaccreditation; presenters credited partnerships and STEMA programming with rising credentials, high CTE graduation rates and expanded college and career opportunities.
Kevin Smith, a district presenter, told the Duplin County Board on March 4 that Duplin County Schools has earned Cognia reaccreditation and is the first North Carolina district to achieve Cognia STEM certification. "Duplin County Schools is the first and currently the only North Carolina district to achieve Cognia STEM certification and 1 of only 2 certified systems in the Mid Atlantic Region," Kevin Smith said.
The presentation outlined the district's STEMA model (integrating science, technology, engineering, math, arts and agriculture), launched in 2018, and tied the program to local workforce needs and partner organizations. Smith said the district uses STEMA to create personalized pathways, career academies and hands-on learning tied to agriculture and technical trades.
The presenter cited recent data to show program outcomes: 962 students completed a CTE (career and technical education) pathway last year; students earned 3,651 industry-recognized credentials; the district graduation rate was reported at 86.1%, with CTE concentrators achieving a 97.3% graduation rate. Smith also said career–college partnerships have delivered more than 27,000 semester hours of college credit over five years and that last year students received $11,200,000 in scholarship funds. He described grants and employer partnerships — including programs supporting agricultural immersion, vocational pathways and a funded agricultural drone program at Wallace Rose Hill High School — as central to the model.
Board members and attendees praised the district's staff and leaders for STEMA's expansion. Several board members urged better public outreach so families and the broader community know about the program's results.
The board offered congratulations; no formal action was required on the presentation. The district signaled plans to continue emphasizing STEMA in school improvement work and partnerships with local colleges and employers.
