The Pittsburgh Public Schools over the next six years will fine-tune some improvement efforts and embark on others, such as creating a centralized system for ensuring students are on track to qualify for the Pittsburgh Promise, according to a draft of the district's strategic plan.

"We know we must always do more if we are going to continue to make great progress for our students, but we must also be aware of the shrinking size of the city and our firm commitment NOT to raise taxes," Superintendent Mark Roosevelt says in the plan for 2008-14.

The plan is posted on the district's Web site at www.pps.k12.pa.us, and a public comment period runs through Oct. 31.

Residents may give input through the Web site; submit written comments in person at the school board office, Room 201, 341 S. Bellefield Ave., Oakland; or testify at the school board's monthly public hearing at 7 p.m. Monday at the Bellefield offices. To speak at the hearing, residents must call the superintendent's office at 412-622-3600 by noon that day.

The board intends to discuss the draft at an education committee meeting Nov. 4 and vote on approving the document at its Nov. 25 legislative session. The plan will be filed with the state Department of Education. Department spokeswoman Leah Harris said the plans are required of all districts.

Pittsburgh's draft stresses the importance of continuing Mr. Roosevelt's 3-year-old efforts to improve the district's academics and finances.

That means maintaining established initiatives, such as a standard curriculum for grades six through 12; making some enhancements, such as a new K-5 math curriculum and preK-5 reading curriculum; and following through on some initiatives in the works, such as broadening career and technical education and overhauling high schools districtwide.

The plan also sets some new initiatives, including "Pathways to the Promise," meant to ensure that students are on course to graduate and take advantage of the Pittsburgh Promise college scholarship program. Beginning with the Class of 2010, eligibility requirements will include a 2.5 cumulative high school grade-point average and 90 percent attendance rate.

Central office administrators will review students' grades, attendance and behavior records at third, sixth and ninth grades, then work with school personnel and parents to devise interventions for children falling short.

Special attention will be paid to the sixth-graders.

"We believe the key to high school success is arriving at ninth grade ready to do ninth-grade work," Mr. Roosevelt said in an interview yesterday.

He said the district will attempt to marshal school and community resources, from after-school programs to mentoring programs, to get students back on track. And he said the district will be creative in its approach, using sports, the arts or other extracurricular activities to connect with lagging kids.

The plan also calls for a comprehensive review of district buildings and demographic trends to promote the most effective use of resources. The district, which closed 22 schools in June 2006, released data Monday showing that enrollment is down 5.7 percent, or 1,616 students, from a year ago.

"If the population continues to shrink, there will be consideration of closures, no question," Mr. Roosevelt said.