OCDE Newsroom

In the news: A new state budget deal, JPL interns from Santa Ana, inspiring graduates and more

Ian Hanigan June 19, 2015

It’s Friday, June 19, and that pretty much closes the books on the 2014-15 school year in Orange County. We don’t have much in the way of pomp and circumstance here, but we do have a handful of education stories from the past week. Click through to catch up on recent articles you may have missed.

Students at the National History Day competition in Maryland

Three student projects from OC earn medals at National History Day Contest in Maryland

Ian Hanigan June 18, 2015

Of the seven California entries to earn medals at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest in Maryland, no fewer than three were from schools in Orange County. Click through to see which schools produced this year's top NHD submissions.

Eight high school students from Santa Ana have the right stuff for summer JPL internship

Ian Hanigan June 16, 2015

Thanks to the countywide initiative known as OC Pathways and community partners including OpTerra Energy Services, eight high schoolers from Santa Ana are embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime research experience as summer interns at NASA’s famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Click through to read the story and watch a brief video.

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. [...]

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