Let's take a look at a few more pieces of the Cobb school district's proposed strategic plan that has received less than a rousing reception from readers and even some board members.

Reading, of course, is the most important basic skill. It should be given top priority in every one of the eight student groups - Asian, black, Hispanic, American Indian, white, multi-racial, students with disabilities and English language learners.

The strategic plan drafted by Superintendent Fred Sanderson's staff calls for increasing the percentage of sixth-grade students reading on grade level from 76 percent in the 2008-09 year to a baseline 78 percent in the current year and increasing one percentage point per year, reaching 82 percent in five years.

Granted, as acknowledged here previously, the schools have a tough job with the growing diversity and language-disadvantaged students in the classrooms. The much lower scores by students with disabilities and English language learners obviously pulls down the average.

But again, why not set higher goals? If the students in a given group miss the mark, it's no shame but at least they will have a worthy challenge.

Incidentally, the school district's strategic plan did not have either results or targets for reading on grade level in the third grade as measured by Diagnostic Reading Assessment, explaining that it was "not in use these years in all schools," but was "purchased for use with new reading textbook adoption." In short, so far as the plan is concerned, there is no third-grade reading score.

In one key area, the plan projects sizable savings. Per pupil expenditures for instruction, which were $6,265 for the 2007-08 school year in Cobb, are to be reduced to $5,680 for the current recession-hammered term and for each of following four years as well.

In contrast, per pupil expenditure for general administration is projected to increase from $115 for 2007-08 to $129 for this term and each of the next five years.

Readers offer their views on the strategic plan:

From S. Adams: "If anyone in Cobb was paying attention, they'd understand we're being subjected to the soft bigotry of low expectations ...We saw this same attitude from Glover Street staff during the rezoning of McEachern High. It's all about covering up the fact that certain schools aren't performing and the overall strategy is simply to find a way, any way, to continue moving them through, ready or not for life. Shame."

Another reader wrote: "What do you expect for a near $1 billion annual budget - progress? School enrollments and system revenues are actually going to decline big-time over the next three years as our state and county do nothing to respond to the tanking economy. Too bad the MDJ is ignoring the 800 pound gorilla (economic and fiscal free-fall) in favor of fixation on secret meetings, school calendars and cell towers. Nero would be proud."

Without a doubt, the school board should set more challenging goals.

dmckee9613@aol.com