OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative launches today, inviting districts to apply for up to $525,000 to bring innovative, student-centered ideas to life. Applications are open through Jan. 30, 2026.
OCDE and the Butte County Office of Education are partnering through California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support framework to help Los Angeles County schools recover from the Eaton and Palisades fires.
From Chapman University to Santa Ana schools, Orange County counseling leaders were celebrated for their innovation and impact at the state’s largest professional association for school counselors.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a wide range of education bills at the close of the 2025 legislative session, enacting new laws on literacy, school safety, nutrition and student well-being while vetoing several others.
Orange County education and health leaders gathered to celebrate local progress tied to a statewide initiative that has expanded student mental health services. Speakers pointed to new wellness spaces, added clinicians and stronger referral systems, while pledging to sustain and grow these supports.
OCDE contributed resources to the new California Attendance Guide, unveiled at a statewide news conference led by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. The guide highlights strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism, supporting the state’s goal of cutting rates by 50 percent over five years.
OCDE’s School-Based Mental Health Summit united hundreds of counselors, psychologists and other professionals to prepare for the year ahead, spotlighting the vital role of wellness in student success.
