Florence School District One celebrates Palmetto Gold and Silver winners

Six Florence School District One schools have earned cash awards recognizing academic achievement, student academic improvement and closing achievement gaps in 2008.

According to a press release from Florence District one, the winners are Carver Elementary, the Florence Career Center, Royall Elementary, South Florence High, West Florence High, and Wilson Senior High.

The Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program was created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998. The program now includes two parts – recognition for general school performance as well as progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students.

Wilson High School won a gold award for general school performance while West Florence High and the Florence Career Center won silver awards for general school performance. South Florence High won a silver award for closing achievement gaps, while Carver Elementary and Royall Elementary won gold awards for closing achievement gaps.

Schools received general awards for overall performance based on their 2008 state report card’s absolute and improvement ratings. These ratings are determined by PACT scores for elementary and middle schools. For high schools, the ratings are based on Exit examination results, graduation rate and percentage of students passing end-of-course tests.

Schools recognized for general performance receive an award flag, a certificate, a congratulatory letter from State Superintendent of Education Dr. Jim Rex and a portion of state funds earmarked for the program. The financial award is determined by factors including the type of award received, student enrollment, student attendance and teacher attendance. This year’s awards are being reduced because of state budget cuts. Schools will receive notice of awards totals in the near future.

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.

Schools recognized for closing achievement gaps receive an award certificate, a congratulatory letter from Dr. Rex and $1,200 for the Gold award and $1,000 for a Silver.