Eleven Richland One schools have earned cash awards for student academic achievement, academic improvement, and closing achievement gaps in 2008.

The Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver awards program was created by the Education Accountability Act of 1998. The program now includes two parts - recognition for general school performance as well as recognition for progress in closing achievement gaps between groups of students.

Schools received general awards for overall performance based on their 2008 state report cards' absolute and improvement ratings. These ratings are determined by PACT (Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test) scores for elementary and middle schools. For high schools, the ratings are based on Exit Exam results, graduation rate, and percentage of students passing end- of- course tests.

Ten Richland One schools - Columbia High, A.C. Flora High, C.A. Johnson Preparatory Academy, Keenan High, Lower Richland High, Gadsden Elementary, Hand Middle, Southeast Middle, Watkins- Nance Elementary, and Heyward Career and Technology Center - were among the 311 schools statewide that received awards for general performance.

Schools recognized for general performance receive an award flag, a certificate, a congratulatory letter from Dr. Rex, and a portion of state funds earmarked for the program. The financial award is determined by factors including the type of award received, student enrollment, student attendance, and teacher attendance. This year's awards are being reduced because of state budget cuts. Schools will receive notice of awards totals in the near future.

Schools received closing the achievement gap awards 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. The state's Education Oversight Committee set the awards criteria.

Elementary or middle schools qualify for a Gold award if at least one of these subgroups meets or exceeds high- achieving student scores in both English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. A Silver award is given if at least one subgroup meets end- of- year high performance in ELA or mathematics or shows exceptional achievement growth.

High schools may receive a Gold closing the gap award if the graduation rate of at least one subgroup meets or exceeds the statewide graduation rate of historically high- achieving students. A Silver award means at least one subgroup's graduation rate meets or exceeds the rate needed to meet the state's graduation goal of 88.3 per cent by 2014.

Five Richland One schools - Dreher, A.C. Flora, C.A. Johnson, Lower Richland, and Gadsden - were among the 242 schools statewide that received closing the achievement gap awards. Schools recognized for closing achievement gaps receive an award certificate, a congratulatory letter from Dr. Rex, and $1,200 for the Gold award and $1,000 for a Silver.

Four Richland One schools - A.C. Flora, C.A. Johnson, Lower Richland and Gadsden - were among the 150 schools statewide that received awards in both categories.

Richland One's 11 Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver award winners are