Published Monday, April 21, 2008 8:29 PM
Updated Monday, April 21, 2008 8:29 PM

 

Schools recognized for closing achievement gap

Five Berkeley County schools are among 141 South Carolina elementary and middle schools honored statewide for reducing the achievement gap among students of differing economic, racial and ethnic groups by the S.C. Education Oversight Committee.

The schools make up about 16 percent of schools in the state.

Local schools honored include Hanahan Elementary, Howe Hall AIMS, Marrington School, Sangaree Intermediate and Westview Primary.

In the sixth annual release of the gap-closing schools, 141 schools were identified based on results of the English Language Arts and mathematics portions of the 2007 Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test. The schools had high student achievement for at least one target subgroup -- black students, Hispanic students, or students participating in the free or reduced price lunch program.  

The achievement gap is defined as the difference in achievement between the target group, which is historically lower-scoring demographic group, and the statewide comparison group at various PACT performance levels.

This year's findings included:

• An overall increase in the number of schools recognized statewide in comparison with last year

• Many schools recognized in previous years for closing the achievement gap have maintained their accomplishment

• Thirty percent of this year’s honored schools are high-poverty schools, serving a student population of at least 70 percent poverty. Twelve of the recognized schools have 90 percent or more of their students in poverty.  

• Some of the highest-performing groups were white female and other female students

• Black male students and black free- or reduced-price lunch students were the lowest-performing groups in some testing and performance areas.

 The oversight committee is an independent, non-partisan group made up of 18 educators, business persons, and elected leaders. Created in 1998, the committee is dedicated to reporting facts, measuring change, and promoting progress within South Carolina’s education system.

Lindsay Street is a staff writer with The Independent. Contact her at 572-0511 or lstreet@berkeleyind.com.