Post Details

PRESS RELEASE

Duplin County Schools • P.O. Box 128 • Kenansville, NC  28349 • (910) 296-1521 

State Releases 2024-25 Accountability Results
DCS Community Remains United as “One Family” for Continued Success for All

KENANSVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA – September 3, 2025 – Duplin County Schools steadfast dedication to student success continues to drive growth and progress across our district. With the release of the 2024-25 state accountability results, the district celebrates areas of improvement while remaining focused on continuous growth for every child.

According to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, students across the state continue to see gains in most grades and subjects, with only third-grade reading, English II, and NC Math I trailing the 2023-24 results, as presented in the 2024-25 state test results shared with the State Board of Education today. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green said, “I’m proud of our students and educators who have worked hard to improve these metrics even as we acknowledge that our students are more than test scores,” he said. “While the progress and growth shown in these reports deserves praise, we must continue our work to promote excellence for all students. Our plan is to Achieve Educational Excellence – for every child in North Carolina and to have the best public schools in the nation. I am eager to see this data continue to improve as we work to implement our strategic plan.”

Duplin County Schools made notable gains in multiple indicators this year, including overall proficiency increases in grades 3–8 reading and math at both the district and school levels. Additionally, all major subgroups showed increases in overall proficiency at the district level. The district and four high schools showed proficiency increases in NC Math 1, while all showed gains in NC Math 3 proficiency. Proficiency in English II reflected a decrease at the district level.

Science performance outcomes in Grades 5 and 8 and Biology reflected decreases this year due to the implementation of the new NC Standard Course of Study, updated assessments, and new academic achievement standards adopted by the State Board of Education.  As such, comparisons to prior years are not equitable.

Encouragingly, increases were noted in ACT performance, ACT WorkKeys, and English Learner (EL) Progress outcomes. The UNC Board of Governors adjusted the ACT composite score benchmark from 19 to 17 this year, and a new EL exit composite score of 4.5 (reduced from 4.8) was implemented statewide for the 2024-2025 school year.

School growth outcomes reflect that four schools exceeded growth, three met growth, and six did not meet growth. School performance grades for the district include one B, three C’s, seven D’s, and two F’s. Seven schools were designated as low performing based on performance grades and growth outcomes. Since more than 50% of schools received this designation, Duplin County Schools is identified as a low-performing district based on 2024-2025 accountability results.

State and federal accountability model results include School Performance Grades, growth outcomes, graduation rates, ACT, ACT WorkKeys, and the progress of English Learners. Schools are held to expectations of meeting interim measures of progress leading to 10-year, long-term goals for career and college readiness. The following provides a snapshot of some district-level data points:

• The district overall grade level proficiency increased by 2.8 percentage points when compared to the prior year. Ten out of the thirteen schools showed an increase in overall grade level proficiency.
   
• Positive gains in Grades 3-8 EOG Reading, Grades 3-8 EOG Math, High School EOC NC Math 1, and High School EOC NC Math 3 were achieved.
   
• At the district level, Grade 11 ACT scores increased by 14.0 percentage points, while ACT WorkKeys scores rose by 12.6 percentage points.
• Overall EL Progress performance increased by 7.4 percentage points.
• Math Course Rigor remains higher than 95%.
• The 4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate is 82.9% compared to 86.1% in 2023-24.
   
• Decreases were noted in the  4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate, Grades 5 & 8 Science, Biology, and overall College and Career Readiness proficiency.
   

Mr. Daren Tyndall, Interim Superintendent of Duplin County Schools, shared, “I am encouraged by the progress our students, teachers, and staff have made this year, particularly in grades 3–8 math and reading, high school math, and in gains on the ACT and ACT WorkKeys. While we see areas where additional work is needed, especially in science and graduation rates, I am confident that our ‘One Family’ approach will continue to guide us forward. We are committed to building on these results and ensuring every child in Duplin County Schools has the opportunity to graduate prepared for college, career, and life success.”

Duplin County Schools remains deeply committed to personalized learning through its STEAMA framework (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Agriculture). This approach, supported by our Board of Education, families, and community partners, ensures that students can discover and maximize their talents while preparing for the future.

For detailed information regarding School Performance, visit: Accountability Data Sets and Reports and the new NCDPI Accountability Interactive Dashboards.

###

For more information, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at (910) 296-6615.