January 9, 2007 Fourteen Horry County schools are among more than 300 public schools that have earned cash awards recognizing high levels of academic achievement and high rates of student academic improvement. Collectively, local schools share $107,468 in cash awards presented through the sixth annual Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998. Award criteria were developed by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee (EOC). The EOC's award criteria were based on the Absolute and Improvement ratings that were assigned to each school on the 2006 state 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, the graduation rate and eligibility for LIFE scholarships. Awards went to schools that dramatically improved their students' performance between 2005 and 2006, and any school with an absolute rating above unsatisfactory was eligible. Each winning school receives 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. 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. HCS Gold Award winners are: Socastee High School, $22,176; Lakewood Elementary School, $10,197; Myrtle Beach Elementary School, $7,598; Forestbrook Elementary School, $10,640; North Myrtle Beach Elementary School, $9,040; Academy for Arts, Science and Technology, $4,127; and the Academy for Technology and Academics, $3,985. HCS Silver Award winners are: Green Sea Floyds High School, $5,985; Aynor Elementary School, $6,071; St. James Elementary School, $9,239; Midland Elementary School, $4,377; Seaside Elementary School, $7,041; North Myrtle Beach Intermediate School, $5,719; and Bridgewater Academy, $1,273. |
