Lack of technical education produces a 'lost generation,' Oregon business leaders warn - Benjamin Brink, the Oregonian

Oregon government officials, business leaders and legislators are trying to address the disconnect between education and the working world. In the annual conference on business issues, it was striking Tuesday how much discussion concerned education reforms. Gov. John Kitzhaber led with education in his opening remarks. He described his proposed 2015-2017 state budget, which would increase funding to boost literacy in elementary schools and more directly connect high schools, colleges and universities to employers. In panel discussions, education officials outlined progress toward the state's so-called 40-40-20 goal. It states that by 2025, all Oregonians will hold a high school diploma or equivalent, 40 percent will have an associate's degree or post-secondary certificate and 40 percent will hold a higher-education degree. http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2015/01/lack_of_technical_education_pr.html