THE FACT that more than one-third of eighth-grade students in Massachusetts urban districts are at risk of dropping out should come as no surprise (“Thousands called dropout risks,’’ Page A1, Nov. 29). As the story correctly notes, third-grade reading ability is a “key barometer’’ that predicts children’s chances of later success. Yet, according to the latest MCAS results, 37 percent of Massachusetts third-graders are not proficient readers. Moreover, among children from low-income families, many of whom are concentrated in urban districts, 57 percent are not proficient.
While there may be many factors, there may be no better way to maximize children’s chances of graduating from high school than to ensure that they are strong readers in their early years. Investing in early learning is both effective and, at a time of scarce public dollars, cost-efficient. Securing our future prosperity starts by investing in high-quality early education.
James D. Rooney
Vice president
Massachusetts High Technology Council
Waltham
We’re glad that Massachusetts is focusing on early interventions that account for a variety of contributing factors. However, if the state is serious about addressing this issue, our leaders must also address teen pregnancy, a leading reason that girls leave high school before graduation. Young men also reportedly leave school earlier to help provide for their new families. The consequences, such as vastly lower earnings potential, are too many to name.
Comprehensive sex education is one way to help ensure that teens make informed decisions and graduate from high school. Just last Sunday, the Globe reported that students in Boston Public Schools, through organizations such as the Hyde Square Task Force, are requesting better education and more access to sexual health services.
Young people are bombarded with images of sex and sexuality by the media and their peers. We believe that young people deserve comprehensive health and sex education to keep them in school and healthy throughout their lives. It takes parents, educators, and the community to provide access to this basic information.
Dianne Luby
President and CEO
Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
Boston 
