PICKENS COUNTY — Fourteen of the School District of Pickens County’s schools were recognized for 2014-2015 Palmetto Gold and Silver awards by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee.
Palmetto Gold and Silver awards are granted for both General Performance and Closing the Achievement Gap.
Palmetto Gold awards for General Performance were given to R.C. Edwards Middle School, Daniel High School, Easley High School, Crosswell Elementary School, East End Elementary School, Forest Acres Elementary School, Holly Springs Elementary School, Clemson Elementary School, Six Mile Elementary School, West End Elementary School and Career & Technology Center.
McKissick Elementary School was given a Silver award for General Performance.
Two schools earned awards in both categories: Ambler Elementary School and Hagood Elementary School. Ambler Elementary won Gold in General Performance and Silver in Closing the Achievement Gap. Hagood Elementary won Silver in both categories.
The results are an improvement over the previous year, when 13 schools in the district earned awards.
“These awards show what a solid foundation we have in our schools as a result of great teachers, leaders, and students,” said Dr. Danny Merck, SDPC Superintendent. “Our teachers have endured a lot of changes in the last few years in standards and assessments. Through it all, our academic achievement has stayed high. That’s a testament to the quality of our people and the support of our community.”
The criteria and procedures for selecting schools to receive the Gold and Silver Awards were developed by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee. Based on criteria approved by EOC at the December 2008 State Board of Education meeting, separate Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards were established for General Performance and for Closing the Achievement Gap.
“Earning an award for Closing the Achievement Gap is always a remarkable achievement,” said Sharon Huff, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. “Schools that win that award make a tremendous effort to ensure that no child slips through the cracks.”
To identify schools (elementary, middle, high, and career centers) to receive Palmetto Gold or Silver Award for General Performance, school report card absolute and growth ratings and indices are used.
To identify elementary and middle schools to receive Awards for Closing Achievement Gap, PASS end-of-year performances as well as growth in performance on PASS by students belonging to historically underachieving groups are used.
To identify high schools to receive the gap-closing awards, on-time high school graduation rates of students belonging to historically underachieving groups are used.
