Ten schools were recognized at the Aug. 2 Kershaw County School Board meeting for earning Palmetto Gold and Silver awards from the State Department of Education for academic achievement and closing achievement gaps.
The state awards program recognizes schools with high levels of absolute performance, high rates of growth and substantial progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students. The program includes two parts—recognition for general school performance as well as progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students.
“To have over 50 percent of our schools recognized at this level is exceptional,” said Kershaw County School District Superintendent Frank Morgan. “I am extremely proud of these schools and applaud the students, employees and families who worked together to achieve such outstanding results.”
This recognition is for the 2014-15 school year using 2013-14 report card ratings and data. General school performance ratings are based on consecutive marks of “good” or higher growth ratings on school report cards.
Nine schools—ATEC, Baron DeKalb Elementary, Camden Elementary, Doby’s Mill Elementary, Lugoff Elementary, Lugoff-Elgin Middle, Mt. Pisgah Elementary, North Central High and Wateree Elementary—received Gold Awards in the general performance category. Leslie M. Stover Middle received a Silver Award.
For the second award category, schools received recognition for closing the achievement gap 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.
Camden Elementary, Lugoff Elementary, Mt. Pisgah Elementary and Leslie M. Stover Middle received Silver Awards for closing the achievement gap.