White Papers Set Framework
To Discuss Improvements
Needed in Oregon Education
The Roundtable recently published in a single package six white papers that it commissioned in 2005 to describe how Oregon should and can help more Oregonians than ever before to attain a higher level of education. These papers lay the groundwork for discussions by Oregon's leaders and citizens about education changes that are needed and changes that are under way. 

>>>Go  to Roundtable White Papers>>>

What's In The Papers

A New Vision for Oregon Education. Oregon must increase the education attainment of its citizens dramatically. To do that, the state's PreK-20 education resources must perform at a much higher levels than at present, and they must be funded and structured differently.

The Competitive Imperative. Because of increasing global competition and evolving technology, Oregonians must be well educated in order to hold good jobs, help make their companies successful, and keep the Oregon economy competitive with other states and nations. 

Preparation. Preparation is the most important determinant of success in higher education. Too many Oregon ninth graders fail to to obtain a high school diploma; 40 percent of those who do are not ready to succeed in postsecondary education. In particular, they lack adequate skills in math and writing.

Affordability. Oregon students, especially low-income students, are finding a postsecondary education increasingly harder to afford.  Costs are higher, grant and scholarship aid is not keeping pace, and most students are making up the gap with borrowing that leaves them substantially in debt.

Pathways and Persistence. Students travel many paths to their education objectives, some of them containing institutional obstacles or gaps that slow or derail student persistence. Oregon is smoothing these pathways but has more work to do. 

What Cost, What Results for PreK-20? Oregon needs a uniform, transparent process for budgeting and spending public dollars across the PreK-20 spectrum. Now it often does not know why or how it is budgeting and spending funds, and what it is getting for the investment.