The curriculum, assessment, and instruction system of Pasco County Schools is aligned with the Florida state education goals, performance standards as defined by the Florida Department of Education. Each school will offer courses of study and instruction that reflect the appropriate Florida Standards in K–12 language arts, reading, mathematics, science, social studies, fine and performing arts, physical education, health, and world languages. Instruction will address the skills and competencies that a student must master in order to graduate from high school. Below is a link to helpful curriculum guides for families.

K-5 Course Overviews

Students must be five years of age on or before September 1st of the school year (F.S. 1003.21). Parents/Guardians must have adequate documentation which can be found on the Enrollment Services Webpage.  

A student who turns five after September 1st may not receive a Florida Department of Education waiver to enter Kindergarten early. There is no Florida statute or State board of education rule that includes any provision to waive the age requirement for kindergarten enrollment. 

A student who transfers from an out-of-state school and who does not meet regular age requirements for admission to Florida public schools, may be admitted if he or she meets the age requirements for the public schools in the state from which he is transferring, and if the transfer of the student's academic credit is acceptable under the rules of the school board. If a student is transferring from an out-of-state public school, or any nonpublic school, the parents/guardians must provide documentation which can be found on the Enrollment Services Webpage prior to enrollment. 

For more information on placement in higher grade levels or placement information for transfer students click here to review the Student Progression Plan.

Students are required to participate in 150 minutes each week of physical education in grades K-5 (F.S. 1003.455). The physical education requirement shall be waived for a student in grades K-5 who meets one of the following criteria:  

1. The student is enrolled or required to enroll in a remedial course.  
2. The student’s parent indicates in writing to the school that:  
   1. The student is enrolled in another course from among those offered as options by the school district; or  
   2. The student is participating in physical activities outside the school day which are equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement.  

Pasco County Schools shall provide at least 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free-play recess (F.S. 1003.455) each week for students in kindergarten through grade 5 so that there are at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess per day.  

Elementary School PE Waiver

Student progression in grades K-5 is determined by a variety of indicators, as defined by state standards and district expectations, which are aligned with the standards, as defined by the Florida Department of Education. These expectations include specific levels of student performance on locally determined assessments, including universal screenings and ongoing progress monitoring, and results of statewide assessments, as defined by the Commissioner of Education [F.S. 1008.25(5)]. Promotion from one level to the next is based upon each student’s progress toward the accomplishment of high standards that are both challenging and achievable. The evaluation of each student’s progress will be based upon the student’s classroom work, observations, tests, district and state assessments, response to intensive interventions, and other relevant information. The final decision as to grade placement is the responsibility of the principal. The only exceptions are the Mandatory Grade 3 Retention and skipping a grade.  

For more information on promotion and the good cause exemption process, click here to review the Student Progression Plan.

Explanation for Reporting Primary (K-2) Student Progress  

All academic areas will be graded E = Excellent, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Assistance, U = Well Below Expectation or NA = Not Assessed at this Time. Social growth/behavior, work habits and Motor Development will be graded S = Successful, N = Needs Assistance, U = Well Below Expectation or NA = Not Assessed at this Time. Student progress is based on individual growth, rather than comparison with others. Grading descriptors outlined in Elementary Grading Principles and Practices will be followed when determining grades.  

Students in Exceptional Education programs pursuing current state standards and Florida Standards Access Points will receive a standard report card as indicated above.  

Each student’s report card will also communicate the determination of whether the student is meeting yearly standards based on assessments. This determination is indicated for ELA (reading/writing) and mathematics for grades K-2. Students pursuing the Florida Standards Access Points will receive the designation of Not Required for meeting standards in ELA (reading/writing) and mathematics. 

Explanation for Reporting Intermediate (Grades 3-5) Student Progress  

Reading, English language arts, mathematics, science/health, and social studies will be graded A = Well Above Expectation, B = Above Expectation, C = Adequate Progress, D = Below Expectation, U = Well Below Expectation or NA = Not Assessed at this Time. Electives/special areas will be graded E = Excellent, S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Assistance, U = Well Below Expectation or NA = Not Assessed at this Time. Social growth/behavior and work habits will be graded S = Satisfactory, N = Needs Assistance, U = Well Below Expectation or NA = Not Assessed at this Time. Student progress is based on individual growth, rather than comparison with others.  

Students in Exceptional Education programs pursuing current state standards and Florida Standards Access Points at the independent level will receive a standard report card as indicated above. 

Students following the Florida Standards Access Points at the supported or participatory levels will receive a district- designed alternate report card with an E, S, N, U for 3-5.  

Each student’s report card will also communicate the determination of whether the student is meeting yearly standards based on assessments. This determination is indicated for ELA (reading/writing) and mathematics. Students pursuing the Florida Standards Access Points will receive the designation of Not Required for meeting standards in ELA (reading/writing) and mathematics.

For more information, please see the Student Progression Plan