ASMS Receives Cognia STEM Certification Designation as Alabama Legislature Emphasizes STEM Preparation in Proposed Legislation

The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) is now one of the only STEM-certified high schools in Alabama. ASMS has been preparing for Cognia STEM Certification since the fall of 2020, and last week a Cognia review team completed an official evaluation of the school. According to Cognia, STEM Certification facilitates “organizational improvement that results in future readiness for all learners” and is based on research and evidence-based practices.

“As the Alabama legislature emphasizes strengthening STEM education and supporting STEM educators in our state, ASMS is dedicated to doing the same. The landscape of education and career readiness is changing rapidly, so STEM excellence is no longer just about having strong science, technology, engineering, and math programs. Becoming a Cognia STEM-certified school validates ASMS’s holistic approach to student success while illuminating the innovative approaches we need to keep our students at the forefront of their fields,” says Dr. John Hoyle, President of ASMS.

ASMS had to demonstrate their performance in 16 standards within separate Cognia frameworks. The STEM Certification review team for Cognia evaluated more than 300 pages of information prepared by the school, including longitudinal data, survey results, projects, programs, plans, anecdotes, photos, and videos. In addition, 56 ASMS school community members participated in interviews with the review team.

“My greatest take away from the Cognia STEM Certification process is that being an excellent STEM school extends beyond the traditional definition of STEM. It means we are progressing in areas like creating a pipeline from K-12 to STEM careers, exposing students to college content and environments, engaging underrepresented students, challenging students with complex and conceptual content, and much more. In other words, STEM is part of everything we do here at ASMS,” says Mr. Ken Robinson, Director of ASMS Admissions and Outreach.

In the final feedback meeting with the school, Mr. Scott Davidson, the Cognia Director of STEM Services who oversees the national STEM Certification program, noted that he had reviewed 80+ schools throughout his career, and ASMS is a school that will always stand out in his mind as high performing with approaches that other schools or systems can incorporate to benefit their own educational objectives.

###

ASMS: The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science is the state's only fully public and residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, computer science, and the humanities. ASMS is a research-focused learning community committed to innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and diversity with an aim to empower motivated Alabama students to improve their community, state, and nation. Tuition, room, and board are free. Learn more at asms.net.