Controlled Open Enrollment:
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 chioce 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.
Florida Statute 1002.31 Controlled Open Enrollment; Public School Parental Choice:
Districts must provide preferential treatment in their controlled open enrollment processes to:
Important:
Hub transportation may be provided for magnet programs and schools. Please see the Pasco Pathways Innovative Programs and School Choice Catalog https://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/school_choice_catalog/catalog for additional details.
Getting Started:
Appeals Process:
Parents of students who applied during Controlled Open Enrollment and were not approved for placement in a school of choice may request an appeal review based on a documented hardship within 7 calendar days of receiving notice of denial. A written appeal describing the hardship must be submitted electronically via email to pascopathways@pasco.k12.fl.us. The School Choice Appeal Committee serves as the contact for appeal requests and coordinates the review of all hardship requests. The results of this appeal are considered final.
School Choice Hardship Process:
For the 2020-21 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. Required documentation is indicated on the School Choice Hardship Application. To submit this application, send an email to pascopathways@pasco.k12.fl.us requesting the Hardship Application.
School Choice Hardship Considerations include:
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.
***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 2021-22 for school year for consideration to remain at that school.
The Hardship Application must be submitted electronically to 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.