South Carolina Recognizes 310 Schools for Outstanding Academic Performance

COLUMBIA - More than 300 schools have earned cash awards recognizing high levels of academic achievement and high rates of student academic improvement.  

In its fifth year, the Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program was created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998.  

Richland One winners are: Dreher High School, Gold; A.C. Flora High School, Gold; Brennen Elementary School, Gold; Gibbes Middle School, Silver; Hopkins Elementary School, Silver; Webber Elementary, Silver; Carver-Lyon, Silver; Brockman Elementary School, Gold; Samuel A. Heyward Career and Technology Center, Gold.

"These schools demonstrate what can be accomplished when everyone has high expectations and is focused on student achievement," said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum.  "The Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards represent the hard work of students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members.  I hope that they will serve to motivate other schools to continue their improvement efforts."


Award criteria were developed by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee.

"The EOC is proud of these schools recognized for high performance and high rates of improvement," said EOC Vice Chairman Alex Martin." We congratulate the students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members for a job well done."

A total of 310 schools received awards: 185 Gold and 125 Silver.  Among elementary schools, 62 won Gold awards and 96 won silver.  Among middle schools, 8 won Golds and 24 won Silvers.  Among high schools, 83 won Golds and four won Silvers. 25 career centers won Golds and one center received a Silver award.  Seven special schools won Gold awards.  

Each winning school will receive an award flag, a certificate and a portion of $2 million in state funds earmarked for the awards program. The financial award is determined by several factors, including the type of award received, student enrollment, student attendance, teacher
attendance and dropout rates.  The minimum amount for a Gold award is $1,500, and the minimum for a Silver award is $1,000.  

The EOC's award criteria were based on the absolute and improvement ratings that were assigned to each school on the 2005 report cards.  The report card ratings are determined by PACT scores for elementary and middle schools.  For high schools, the ratings are based on Exit Exam
results and eligibility for LIFE scholarships.  

Primary schools with only grades two and below are not eligible for the awards.  State law bases the award criteria on student achievement, and PACT tests are not administered to students in the early grades.

Awards went to schools that dramatically improved their students' performance between 2004 and 2005, and any school with an absolute rating above unsatisfactory was eligible.

Schools receive a Gold or a Silver award for the following rating combinations:

Absolute Performance Rating	Improvement Rating	Award Designation
Excellent	Excellent	Gold
Excellent	Good	Gold
Excellent	Average	Gold
Good	Excellent	Gold
Good	Good	Silver
Average	Excellent	Gold
Average	Good	Silver
Below Average	Excellent	Gold
Below Average	Good	Silver