OCDE Newsroom

Side-by-side images show OCDE’s PAL team recognizing Laura Lockwood at Lord Baden-Powell Elementary School in the Magnolia School District and Heather Roney at Oxford Preparatory Academy Middle School in Lake Forest for their Outstanding PAL Advisor Awards.

OCDE PAL team honors five campuses, two advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 20, 2025

WATCH: Good Day LA features OC Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean

Ian Hanigan May 19, 2025

Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

Get to know the 2025 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 19, 2025

Future of California’s ethnic studies requirement remains uncertain following May budget revision

Ian Hanigan May 19, 2025

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and sports radio host Roger Lodge visit College Park Elementary students in Costa Mesa May 9. (Angels Baseball Foundation)

Weekly roundup: Los Angeles Angels bring star power to College Park Elementary, ten school districts named best in music education, and more

Madeline Gray May 16, 2025

OCDE’s Connections partners with Fullerton Head Start to expand DHH with disabilities program

Nathaniel Martinez May 15, 2025

Quick look: OCDE’s Connections program has expanded its Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Disabilities services to preschoolers through a...

OC students recognized for raising mental health awareness through film

Madeline Gray May 14, 2025

Quick look: Six short films created by Orange County students were honored for spotlighting mental health and suicide prevention at...

Governor’s plan maintains key education funding as state addresses $12 billion shortfall

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025

Quick look: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget plan for 2025-26 preserves funding for key K-12 programs — including expanded learning — even as the state works to close a $12 billion deficit. Still, local schools and districts are planning cautiously...

Young Ken Kafton operating a printing press alongside Lin Trestrail in the San Joaquin School District print shop, early 1970s

Still printing after all these years: Irvine Unified employee has seen it all since day one

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025

Quick look: Ken Kafton began working in Irvine Unified before the district was officially established. More than 50 years later,...

McGarvin Intermediate School students from the Garden Grove Unified School District read and answer questions as a team during the Super Quiz round of the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon, held May 3 at Bolsa Grande High School.

Five Orange County teams heading to the United States Academic Pentathlon competition

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025

Quick look: Five middle school teams from Orange County will represent the region at the United States Academic Pentathlon National...

Two AVID Senior Standouts pose with bouquets ahead of the 2025 OC AVID Senior Standout Recognition and Scholarship Presentation, held April 23 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

2025 OC AVID senior standouts honored with more than $475,000 in scholarships

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025

Quick look: More than $475,000 in scholarships was awarded to 52 graduating seniors during the 2025 AVID Senior Standout celebration, hosted April 23 by the Orange County Department of Education. The event honored 57 students for academic excellence, leadership and...

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program medallion from YoungArts

Weekly roundup: 14 OC students named semifinalists for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, Artists of the Year take center stage, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 9, 2025

Fourteen Orange County high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, placing them among...

Retired U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano and Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Grace F. Napolitano Outdoor Learning Center at Sunburst Youth Academy.

Sunburst Youth Academy dedicates outdoor learning center in honor of Rep. Grace Napolitano

Ian Hanigan May 9, 2025

Quick look: Sunburst Youth Academy dedicated a new outdoor learning center in honor of retired Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, recognizing her...

State leaders briefed on California MTSS gains, encouraged to sustain framework

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2025

Quick look: State leaders were briefed Thursday on the progress of the California MTSS framework, which has demonstrated success in both rural and urban settings by boosting student outcomes and aligning major initiatives. OCDE and Butte County are seeking continued...