South Carolina recognizes 403 schools for outstanding academic performance
April 14, 2010
COLUMBIA, SC – April 14, 2010 – More than 400 public schools have earned recognition for academic achievement and closing achievement gaps in 2009.
In its ninth year, the Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program was created for schools attaining high levels of absolute performance, high rates of growth and substantial progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students.
“Schools that win these awards take the initiative to create quality instructional programs,” said State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex. “More than half the schools recognized have student poverty levels above 60 percent. With dedication and hard work, they’ve done an excellent job for students despite the odds.”
Schools received general awards for overall performance based on both the absolute and growth ratings and the growth index found on school report cards. These ratings are determined by PASS scores for elementary and middle schools. For high schools, the ratings are based on Exit Exam results, graduation rate and percentage of students passing end-of-course tests.
General performance Gold and Silver awards are based on the school’s following report card rating combinations:
Absolute Rating Growth Rating Award Type
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
A second awards selection procedure is based upon steady growth demonstrated over a minimum of two consecutive years. A school may qualify for a Silver Award if the school’s absolute performance rating is above School at Risk for the most recent year, and its growth index meets defined criteria.
A total of 340 schools received awards for general performance, 211 Gold and 129 Silver. Among elementary schools, 131 won Gold awards and 89 won Silver. For middle schools, 25 won Gold and 16 won Silver. Among high schools, 31 won Gold and 23 won Silver. Eighteen career centers won Gold and one received a Silver award. Six special schools won Gold awards. Schools recognized for general performance receive an award flag and a certificate.
Closing the Achievement Gap Awards
Schools received closing the achievement gap awards based on academic gains made by students who fall into four subgroups — African American students, Hispanic students, students participating in federal free- or reduced-price lunch programs and students with non-speech disabilities. The state’s Education Oversight Committee set awards criteria.
Elementary or middle schools qualify for a Gold award if at least one of these subgroups meets or exceeds high-achieving student scores in both English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. A Silver award is given if at least one subgroup meets end-of-year high performance in ELA or mathematics or shows exceptional achievement growth.
High schools may receive a Gold Closing the Gap Award if the graduation rate of at least one subgroup meets or exceeds the statewide graduation rate of historically high-achieving students. A Silver award means at least one subgroup’s graduation rate meets or exceeds the rate needed to meet the state’s graduation goal of 88.3 per cent by 2014.
A total of 216 schools earned closing the achievement gap awards, 66 Gold and 150 Silver. Among elementary schools, 33 won Gold awards and 95 won Silver. For middle schools, three won Gold and 11 won Silver. Among high schools, 30 won Gold and 44 won Silver. Schools recognized for closing achievement gaps receive an award certificate.
A total of 403 schools received Gold and/or Silver awards for general performance and/or closing achievement gaps. One hundred and fifty-three schools received awards in both categories. One hundred and eighty-seven schools were recognized for general performance only, while 63 received awards for closing achievement gaps only.
