A regional partnership that includes the University of Oregon will help lead an education pilot initiated by the Oregon Education Investment Board.

The partnership, called Connected Lane County, will receive $50,000 through the Oregon Solutions Network to help transform education in Oregon and achieve the 40-40-20 goals set by Senate Bill 253 in 2011.

Connected Lane County, a local coalition of school districts, institutions of public higher education and early childhood partners, is dedicated to increasing the number of high school graduates who are successful in higher education. The regional achievement collaborative pilots will help the OEIB to meet key student outcomes such as preparing children for kindergarten, creating opportunities for high school students to earn college credit and ensuring smooth transitions into career and college.

Connected Lane County will share best practices and strategies and report on its progress to the board and the governor.

“The board’s recognition of Connected Lane County’s outstanding work in this area is a testament to the power and potential of such strategic partnerships,” said Michael Gottfredson, University of Oregon president. “I’m proud that the University of Oregon is a partner in this initiative, which directly addresses Oregon students’ access to quality higher education—a central pillar of our public mission.”

The partnership includes all 16 Lane County school districts, the Lane Education Service District, Lane Community College, United Way of Lane County, Educational Policy Improvement Center and Lane County government. As the collaborative grows, it will expand to include business and civic partners.

- by Chloe Huckins, UO Office of Strategic Communications intern