An article in the Dec. 15 New York Times reports on the growing income gap in our society. One of the major points cited by one of the economists was the increased effect of education on income – never before has education been such an important factor in predicting future earnings. Marvin Kosters, a senior economist with the American Enterprise Institute, said the earning advantage for those who attend college over those who do not has doubled to about 60 percent from 30 percent in the early 1970s. Another economist said even finishing high school improves income by about 30 percent.

Maine has the highest completion rate for high school and the lowest rate for going on to college. No wonder Maine is 39th in per capita income. Parents must do more to encourage children to go on with their education, and the state must provide more aid for students to go to college

Robert J. Weiss, M.D.

Dean emeritus

Columbia University

School of Public Health

Orono