The Palmetto Gold and Silver awards program was established by the Education Accountability Act (EAA) of 1998 Section 59-18-1100. The EAA was amended to include awards for closing the achievement gaps in 2008 (Act 282). As an important part of the education accountability system in South Carolina, the Palmetto Gold and Silver awards program is designed to recognize and reward schools for attaining high levels of absolute performance, for attaining high rates of growth, and for making substantial progress in closing the achievement gap between disaggregated groups.

On May 14, 2019 the State Board of Education approved the following criteria for the Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Program. The criteria, which identify the general performance of schools, were based upon an analysis of the 2018 annual school report cards and upon feedback from a task force of high school principals, coordinated by the EOC between January and April of 2019. It should be noted that the criteria will be amended in the future to recognize schools that have closed the achievement gap.

For Elementary and Middle Schools:

The criteria focus on two indicators: Academic Achievement and Student Progress, which are similar to the criteria used in 2014. To be eligible to receive a Palmetto Gold or Silver designation, an elementary or middle school must not be designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school or an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) school and must receive a rating for the indicators of Academic Achievement and Student Progress as defined below:

Palmetto Gold:
1) Excellent Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress, or
2) Excellent Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or
3) Good Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress.

Palmetto Silver:
1) Average Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress, or
2) Good Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or
3) Excellent Academic Achievement and Average Student Progress.

For High Schools:

The accountability system does not measure student growth or academic progress at the high school level. Therefore, to reward schools for general performance, the Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Program will focus on the following four indicators: Academic Achievement, Preparing for Success, Graduation Rate, and College/Career Readiness. 

To be eligible to receive a Palmetto Gold or Silver designation, a high school must not be designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school or an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) school and must meet the following criteria:

Palmetto Gold:
High schools that have an Excellent rating on 3 out of the 4 indicators and a minimum of Good on the fourth indicator would be eligible for the Palmetto Gold Award. A high school must also have an overall report card rating of Excellent or Good to earn a Palmetto Gold.

Palmetto Silver: High schools that have a minimum rating of Good on 3 out of the 4 indicators and no rating lower than Average on the fourth indicator would be eligible for a Palmetto Silver Award. A high school must also have an overall report card rating of Average or above to meet the criteria.

Summary of Criteria for General Performance Palmetto Gold and Silver Awards Program

School Type*	Indicators	Palmetto Gold	Palmetto Silver
Elementary and Middle Schools	Academic Achievement Student Progress	Excellent Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress; or Excellent Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress, or Good Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress	Average Academic Achievement and Excellent Student Progress; or Good Academic Achievement and Good Student Progress; or Excellent Academic Achievement and Average Student Progress.
High Schools	Academic Achievement Preparing for Success Graduation Rate College/Career Readiness	Excellent rating on 3 out of the 4 indicators; and Minimum rating of Good on the fourth indicator; and Overall report card rating of Excellent or Good	Minimum rating of Good on 3 out of the 4 indicators; and No rating lower than Average on the fourth indicator; and Overall report card rating of Average or above

* No school designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school or an Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI) school is eligible to receive a Palmetto Gold or Silver Award.