12 Pee Dee schools in Palmetto Gold , Silver showcase

Twelve Pee Dee schools are among the state’s 103 award-winning Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver schools sharing their success stories with others through the S.C. Department of Education’s 2008-09 Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Showcase.

Participating schools include Cheraw and Chesterfield high and Ruby Elementary in the Chesterfield County School District; Scotts Branch High in Clarendon School District 1; Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology in Darlington County School District; Wilson High, Carver Elementary and Florence Career Center in Florence School District 1; J.C. Lynch Elementary in Florence School District 3; Creek Bridge High in Marion School District 7; Marlboro County School of Discovery in Marlboro County School District; and St. Mark Elementary in Williamsburg County School District.

Andrews and Waccamaw high schools in Georgetown County School District and Loris High, St. James Middle and Burgess, Lakewood and North Myrtle Beach elementary in Horry County School District also are participating.

The schools received their awards earlier. Initiated five years ago, the showcase is part of the Palmetto Gold and Silver Program created by the Education Accountability Act to recognize and reward academic achievement.

About a fourth of the state’s 1,100 schools receive either a Gold or Silver award each year. Awards criteria are set by the Education Oversight Committee and are based on absolute and improvement ratings on the school report card.

Schools featured in the showcase provide one-page summaries describing programs or topics that they believe directly impact student achievement. Their summaries offer good tips and practical ideas on various issues ranging from instructional practices that increase student learning to innovative community involvement strategies.

“The showcase provides an excellent way for educators to learn about best practices in neighboring schools, creating learning communities among all schools across the state,” state Education Superintendent Dr. Jim Rex said in a press release. “There are thousands of success stories that are worth sharing.”

Showcase summaries, along with other school information including poverty levels, enrollment and demographic characteristics, are posted on the Department of Education’s Web site at http://ed.sc.gov/agency/Standards-and-Learning/Academic-Standards/old/cso/goldandsilver/PGSshowcase.html.