The Joplin School District’s five-year strategic plan was approved Tuesday night at the regular Board of Education meeting. In our view, it was an excellent start and those preparing the plan deserve great credit, particularly in the areas of graduation-rate improvement and long-range financial planning.

Simply stated, the long-range financial planning process proposed and approved is “cutting edge.”

The graduation-rate improvement plan also deserves high praise. One point on which we have a strong opinion is the plan’s approach to articulating, teaching and enforcing values with consistency. The plan addresses those needs head-on and we wholeheartedly support it. Other specific programs such as transition, mentoring, close liaison with juvenile authorities and detailed tracking of “at risk” students are on the mark.

However, the plan lacks depth, breadth and clarity for improving the academic performance of all students. The student-achievement plan is weak and, as noted in the work session, needs much more work and attention. Any high-school graduate today should have a strong, fundamental ability to read with understanding, write with passion and clarity, and be capable of working business and trade levels of mathematical problems. A head-on acknowledgment of that need should be clearly stated and plans put into place to dramatically improve student performance in those three areas.

When the rubber meets the road in education there are only two people “on the road.” They are the student and the teacher. The plan makes no attempt to address the need to improve teacher quality. That, in our view, is a fundamental shortfall that needs to be addressed in the coming months. Some teachers are “at risk” just like some students. Why not acknowledge that fact and start work on improvement?

Again, we believe this planning process is a great new start. It provides opportunity for continuing input from educators as well as the public. If you are interested in education, you should read the plan and provide your input. We believe the district will welcome your views.