The Florida Legislature recognizes the value of an educational system that provides numerous and meaningful options for students and their parents. In order to promote and encourage parental involvement and ensure students have access to a school that meets their needs, the Florida Legislature enacted Section 1002.31, Florida Statutes , which directs each school district to develop a controlled open enrollment plan. A controlled open enrollment plan allows school districts to make student school assignments considering parents’ indicated preferential school choice as a significant factor. Legislation also provides for a hardship process and an appeals process to be put into place, as part of a controlled open enrollment plan.
Appeals can be made based on the outcome of the School Choice lottery. For more information on this process and timeline visit the 22-23 Controlled Open Enrollment Plan
For the 2022-23 school year, when a parent/guardian feels that a school choice hardship consideration is appropriate, the parent/guardian may submit a hardship request to be considered for attendance at a school other than the student’s home-zoned school. An application may be submitted to be reconsidered for attendance at a school other than the student’s home-zoned school.
Important information to be considered before completing your application:
Hardship requests are reviewed by the committee on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month considered on a case by case basis. Such determination(s) shall be based upon factors which include without limitation the District’s Open Enrollment plan, applicable State and Federal law, and School Board Policy. The student must remain enrolled at his/her current/home-zoned school until the applicant has received the determination of the team. An email notification with the outcome will be sent to the email address on file. The determination of the team is final.
For more information on the School Choice Controlled Open Enrollment Plan-Hardship Request, please review the Controlled Open Enrollment Plan. The preferences outlined below will not be applied for Pre-K hardship requests. Per the document, hardships under this request process include the following:
***Hardship applications received due to a move/change of address when possible will be approved for the remainder of the current school year. Families must reapply for school choice during the Controlled Open Enrollment Window for the 2023-2024 school year for consideration to remain at that school.
The Hardship Application can be requested by emailing pascopathways@pasco.k12.fl.us. A confirmation of receipt will be issued when the application has been submitted successfully. Applications are on-line only. Computers are available at schools or at a public library, and assistance will be provided as a reasonable accommodation to those with a disability. If assistance is needed with the application process, contact the district office at pascopathways@pasco.k12.fl.us.