COLUMBIA—Dr. Mick Zais, State Superintendent of Education, announced the Palmetto Gold and Silver Award recipients for the 2013-14 school year.  The South Carolina Department of Education recognized 592 schools and career centers for general performance, closing the achievement gap, or qualifying in both categories.
Recognized in Dillon County as Gold Schools are Dillon High School, Latta High School, and Lake View Elementary School.
Recognized as a  Silver School was Latta Middle School. “Congratulations are in order for these Palmetto Gold and Silver Award winners that were selected by South Carolina’s Education Oversight Committee,” said Zais.  “At the same time, I’m concerned about an award system that identifies 53 percent of our schools as the top performers.  That is why I support a single accountability system recognizing student growth and performance that is clear and transparent to parents, teachers, and the public.”
The Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards program, founded in 1998, recognizes schools for general performance and closing the achievement gap.  
Within those two categories, a school may be awarded either the gold or silver designation.  This is the sixth year that closing the achievement gap has been included as part of the program.
Of the award recipients, only 65 schools were awarded the gold designation for both general performance and closing the achievement gap.  “These top 5 percent truly are our superstars,” said Zais.  Approximately 19 percent of this year’s recipient schools are also classified as high poverty, meaning that over 90 percent of their students receive Medicaid and/or Free or Reduced Meals.
Please see the attached list for specific winners.  Award criteria was based upon the EOC’s 2012-13 Accountability Manual and Addendum.
Follow Dr. Zais and the agency on Twitter and “like” their Facebook page to get the latest news and information from the agency and personal updates from Dr. Zais.  Dr. Zais also writes a weekly blog.