Cherokee County students will have a new test to pass, and it finally has a name.

Voters have selected the official name for the test that will be given to elementary and middle school students this spring. The winning name — Palmetto Assessment of State Standards, or PASS - was chosen in an online ballot that resulted in 6,000 votes.

State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex asked teachers, students and parents to suggest names for the new test two weeks ago.

The new name was suggested independently by Hammond Hill Elementary Principal Janet Vaughan in Aiken and Penny Truitt, a guidance counselor at the Calhoun Academy of the Arts in Anderson District 5. The name is a bit ironic considering the 1998 Education Accountability Act grew out of recommendations from a PASS Commission appointed by S.C. Gov. David Beasley in 1997.

Statewide vote totals for the five finalists were: PASS - Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (1,610); STARS - State Test of Achievement and Readiness for Success (1,432); STEP - State Test of Educational Progress (1,383); PAL - Palmetto Assessment of Learning (1,190); and SCYE - South Carolina Yearly Evaluation (429).

Granard Middle School Principal Shirley Sealy submitted four suggestions from teachers for a new test name. One of the more promising ones was STEP, or State Test of Education Performance.

While no entry made the final list, Sealy said the school will be pleased if the new test delivers more information that helps students learn.

"Our teachers need specific feedback and more timely information so they can plan their instruction to address the strengths and weaknesses of students," Sealy said.

State lawmakers decided earlier this year to replace the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT) as part of revisions to the state's Education Accountability Act. The law requires annual testing in schools and report cards on school performance.

The PASS assessment will include tests in writing, English, math, science and social studies. Writing tests will be given in March followed by a series of multiple choice-only tests in May.

Limestone-Central Elementary Principal Clay Fowler said he believes little will change with the state's move to a new test.

"Our teachers will still teach the state standards like we always have," Fowler said. "Hopefully, our students will pass the new test."