COUNTY — Two more SDPC schools — B.J. Skelton Career Center and Pickens High School — have earned recognition in the Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program.
The South Carolina Department of Education announced today that the career center has received a Palmetto Gold award for academic achievement. Schools received general awards for overall performance based on both their absolute and growth ratings and the growth index found on school report cards.
“The career center has a long history of providing excellent opportunities for students,” said Brenda Turner, assistant superintendent for instructional services. “To have been awarded Palmetto Gold is an outstanding honor for our center, the faculty, and the students.”
Also announced is the news that Pickens High has received a Palmetto Silver award for closing achievement gaps. High schools received closing the achievement gap awards for on-time graduation rate performance 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.
Turner continued, “Pickens High is to be recognized for outstanding achievement. The faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to implement High Schools That Work strategies, especially increasing expectations and rigor.”
Schools honored for general performance receive a certificate and award flag, while those recognized for closing achievement gaps receive a certificate.
Announcement of these awards was delayed until after high school/career center report cards were compiled and issued. Palmetto Gold and Silver awards for the state’s elementary, middle and special schools were announced in January of this year.