LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — Pasco County Schools discussed enhancing opportunities for all students during a workshop on Tuesday evening.
The Pasco County school district has been working on a plan to expand its rigorous programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
"Equity, equity. We are making sure all of our kids have the same opportunities to be successful after high school," said Superintendent Kurt Browning.
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District leaders studied the most critically needy areas of the county and started working on a plan to help students. Schools identified within six zip codes have experienced an increase in students living in poverty.
"Giving them access to a higher curriculum leading to experiences that allow them to get college credit which can have a huge tuition cost savings for families," said Samantha Del Valle, Assistant Director for the Office for Leading and Learning in Pasco County.
The district also said the STEM/STEAM program will be expanded as well. The district said currently there are 815 students at Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM Magnet School with 450 on a wait list.
"Do they have the same opportunities? I am convinced that what we proposed to our board tonight, we go much much further down that road providing those equitable educational opportunities for all our students," said Superintendent Browning.
To learn more about the expansion of these programs, click here to view the district's presentation.
