Nineteen HCS schools earn $189,176 from state
in Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards
December 14, 2005

Nineteen district schools are among 310 schools in South Carolina to be recognized for high levels of academic achievement and high rates of student academic improvement. The winning Horry County schools will receive $189,176, collectively, through the Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998.  Award criteria were developed by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee. The program is now in its fifth year.

Each winning school will receive an award flag, a certificate and a portion of $3 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.

Winning HCS schools are: