Forty years of mobilizing community

In 1984, a group of Oregon’s high-tech leaders came together to establish the Business Education Compact (BEC) with a goal of bridging the gap between the business community and education. The BEC collaborated with companies like Tektronix, Intel, and IBM to provide teachers with training, offer student internships, and advocate for proficiency-based learning, particularly in STEM fields.

Today, Oregon faces a critical challenge: it has the third lowest high school graduation rate in the country, with 7,600 students leaving school each year. Many of these students come from communities historically marginalized by issues such as race and poverty, and systemic barriers continue to hinder their opportunities for success. If we don’t address these inequalities, we risk deepening the disenfranchisement of a significant portion of our society—people who have the potential to contribute meaningfully to our collective future.

In 2017, recognizing the urgent need to address these disparities, we began reimagining our role in the community. Our board and staff refocused our mission to more directly support students who have been systematically underserved. This shift led to developing a new strategic plan and ultimately changing our name from BEC to In4All to reflect our deeper commitment to inclusive education and opportunity for every student in Oregon.

We continue to believe that collaboration between business and education is key to ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. By focusing on those historically (and currently) underrepresented without our power structures, we aim to make equity more than a goal. Together, #WeAreIn4All.