Pasco staff recommend Savvas Envision for K–5 math after review of low elementary scores

Dr. Iles, a district academic administrator, told the Pasco County School Board at a workshop that district staff are recommending Savvas Envision as the K–5 core mathematics resource for the 2025–26 school year.

The recommendation follows review of student achievement data showing Pasco County elementary math performance below the state for grades 3–5 and in PM1 and PM2 assessments. District staff told the board that 92 percent of elementary schools surveyed supported considering different instructional materials.

Staff described a multi-step adoption process: a spring vendor call to publishers on the state-approved list; a narrowing team composed mainly of classroom teachers with instructional coaches, administrators and two parents; review of core and intervention resources; and consideration of technology integration. Dr. Iles said the district compared materials used by higher-performing, similarly sized districts and found alignment with state standards for the recommended program. She said staff plan a public hearing (on the agenda the same night as the workshop) and hope to bring the adoption back for final board approval on May 6. If approved, staff would allow a 30-day statutory reconsideration window, place orders in early June, and begin a July professional-development rollout consisting of four days of training (three days focused on math and one on science) at stipend rates.

District staff said they are still awaiting the state-approved list of intervention materials and will make a related recommendation after that list is published. Staff also noted that being on the state-approved list is required for eligibility for a stated grant intended to offset purchase costs.

On cost and materials, presenters told the board the district obtained a final quote showing the recommended package would cost about $100,000 less than the district’s current elementary math spending. The recommended adoption includes a digital student component and teacher guides; student consumable texts would be purchased annually for this adoption cycle rather than as part of a multi-year adoption. Presenters said vendors bundle many ancillary items into packages at no additional charge and that the district will try to collect and redistribute extra materials to schools that need them.

Classroom teachers and instructional staff who participated in the narrowing process described classroom uses. One teacher said, "It pushes kids into deeper levels of application than just the surface level," and highlighted built-in problem solving, formative checks and tiered supports that teachers can use for intervention and enrichment.

No final board vote was recorded at the workshop. The recommendation and the public hearing were described as the next formal steps; staff repeatedly distinguished the current recommendation and procurement timeline from any final board action.

If approved after the public hearing and the reconsideration window, staff said curriculum writers and coaches will be included in the July training so coaches and teachers receive the same messages and resources. Staff also committed to ongoing, year-long professional development and planned supports from curriculum content staff.