OCDE Newsroom

Let’s take a look back at this year’s Orange County Teacher of the Year announcements (video)

Ian Hanigan June 10, 2015

Back on May 20, county Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares surprised five local educators with the news that they’re the Orange County Teachers of the Year for 2016. Along with OCDE staff, media and sponsors, we were on hand at each stop with our cameras rolling. Click through to watch a brief video featuring this year's honorees.

Five strategies to combat summer learning loss

Staff reports June 9, 2015

Whether you know it as the "summer slide" or "brain drain," we've got a few tips for keeping young minds sharp and active over the summer months.

OCDE’s Fischer School offers a path to graduation, redemption for students like Erik

Ian Hanigan May 28, 2015

Erik, now 18, has a high school diploma and something even more important -- people who believe in him. He earned both as a student at the Otto A. Fischer School, one of four detention and treatment facilities run by the Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS program.

Education advisor Fullan calls for collaboration and capacity-building at OCDE conference

Ian Hanigan May 22, 2015

Education reform expert Michael Fullan was the keynote speaker at OCDE’s “Equipping an Emerging Generation” conference, which drew more than 400 educators and business leaders to the Hyatt Regency Orange County. Hosted by County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares, the event also featured Trevor Packer, senior vice president for the College Board. [...]

Student participants in National History Day

Fifteen OC students invited to compete at the National History Day competition in Maryland

Ian Hanigan May 15, 2015

California will send 36 of its best National History Day projects to Maryland next month for a final showdown on the national stage, and eight of those entries will travel from schools right here in Orange County. Also expected to make the trip: The 15 local students who created them. [...]

OC Pathways partners with OpTerra Energy Services, which will sponsor 10 paid STEM internships

Ian Hanigan May 13, 2015

We’ve received word this week that OC Pathways, the countywide initiative that’s working to expand career pathways for students from kindergarten through college, has a new partner. OpTerra Energy Services, a national leader in alternative energy solutions, is joining the effort by sponsoring 10 paid summer STEM internships for high school students in the Santa Ana Unified School District. It’s part of the company’s continued focus on building educational opportunities and workforce development strategies. [...]

Education buzzwords and acronyms every parent should know

Staff reports May 12, 2015

Every field has its fair share of jargon, but education seems to take it to a new level. Buzzwords are used frequently in the learning community and it's important to keep up with the lingo -- especially if you're a parent navigating through the ever-changing educational landscape. Test your knowledge of school terminology with these common buzzwords used in education today. [...]

Graduation rates for Orange County and the rest of the state climb for the fifth straight year

Ian Hanigan April 29, 2015

High school graduation rates for California and Orange County have increased for the fifth year in a row, with English-learners accounting for the biggest overall spikes in 2014, according to data released this week. In Orange County, students who started high school in 2010-11 posted a graduation rate of 88.6 percent in 2014 -- up from 87.5 percent in 2013. That number has been climbing steadily. [...]

Educators invited to register for OCDE’s ‘Equipping an Emerging Generation’ conference

Ian Hanigan April 29, 2015

Seats are still available for an upcoming education conference featuring a pair of highly influential academic leaders. “Equipping an Emerging Generation,” hosted by OCDE and County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares, will include presentations by renowned author and researcher Michael Fullan and College Board Senior Vice President Trevor Packer from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency Orange County. [...]

Workshop aims to help teens and families transition from high school to college

Staff reports April 28, 2015

Educators and parents know high school students must be academically ready for college. But are you and your teen socially, emotionally and financially ready too? To help students and their families plan for the next step on their academic paths, the Orange County Department of Education will offer a “Transitioning to College” workshop on Wednesday, May 20 at the OCDE’s conference center in Costa Mesa. [...]

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