Oregon Educational Attainment Data
In an effort to dramatically increase the number of Oregonians who complete high school or college level credentials, the State of Oregon has developed two high-reaching goals. For a quick summary and current status of our progress, see the document below. For a quick summary, see the document below.
Progress Toward Oregon's 40-40-20 Education Goal
Oregon has one of highest-reaching state goals for education in the country. In 2011, the State of Oregon enacted legislation (ORS 350.014) that created this aspirational goal for Oregon’s educational achievement that by 2025:
- 40% of Oregonians will complete a 4-year degree,
- 40% of Oregonians will complete a 2-year degree or certificate, and
- 20% will earn a high school diploma or the equivalent.
Known as the “40-40-20”, this goal established a clear target against which to gauge the state’s educational progress. Learn more about Oregon's state goals for higher education and strategic planning for postsecondary education here. 
With legislation passed in 2017 and effective on January 1, 2018, Oregon clarified the 40-40-20 educational goal to focus it strategically on young Oregonians rising through the education system.
Oregon’s Adult Education and Training Goal
In 2018, Oregon established a new goal for the education and training of working 
adults that is connected to job opportunities and industry needs. The new goal is stated as follows:
- Oregon anticipates more than 120,000 additional jobs requiring post-secondary training or education between now and 2030. In order to meet this need, 300,000 additional adult Oregonians should earn a new degree, certificate or credential valued in the workforce during that time. Because Oregon has substantial attainment gaps among minority, low income and rural Oregonians, the state will also commit to reducing those attainment gaps by half during the decade.
As directed by 2017 legislation, the HECC worked with the Oregon Workforce Talent and Development Board and partners on the development of this new goal, and formally approved the goal in November, 2018.