The first in a series of four technical reports, this study describes the structure of Oregon's educational system, focusing on the state government's role in education, on the components of public education, and on private educational institutions. The overview of the state government's administrative channels highlights the system of elected officials, appointed bodies, commissions, and agencies responsible for decisions on educational policy and finance. Historical background, statistical descriptions, and stated objectives of each sector of public education are reviewed for elementary and secondary education, education service districts, the state's community colleges, and the system of four-year state colleges and universities. Private education is examined at the elementary and secondary levels according to institutions' affiliations, purposes, organizations, finance, and relationships with other schools, both public and private. Independent colleges and universities are described in terms of their organization, finance, and relationship to state financial assistance. (JW)