OCDE Newsroom

OC educators will be able to remotely attend this year’s CUE educational technology conference

Ian Hanigan January 13, 2016

This March, tech-minded teachers and administrators will once again gather in Palm Springs for the annual CUE National Conference, featuring the latest educational technologies and innovations. But what about those who can’t make it out to Palm Springs? Well, now there’s a way to participate remotely from right here in Orange County. [...]

Students building a Viking shop at Marina High

Marina High students tackle ultimate woodworking project with handcrafted viking ship (video)

Ian Hanigan January 11, 2016

In October, we read an intriguing story about an ambitious project over at Marina High School, home of the Vikings. Students at the Huntington Beach campus, led by their enterprising wood shop teacher Bob Meade, were building a full-scale Viking ship -- and planning to launch it in Huntington Harbour. Naturally we had to check the thing out for ourselves. [...]

Weekly roundup: A state spending proposal, a makeup assignment in La Habra, court news and more

Ian Hanigan January 8, 2016

It's a new year, and we've got brand new headlines. Click through for our weekly roundup of local education stories.

An image of Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares

Mijares: OC Pathways initiative has much to celebrate at the end of its first year

Al Mijares December 16, 2015

OC Pathways, an initiative that's bringing together schools, colleges and businesses to create new career paths in targeted industry sectors, just capped its first year — and it was quite a year. Click through to read the latest column from the desk of Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County's superintendent of schools.

State Superintendent Torlakson lauds Laguna Beach as a leading digital district (video)

Ian Hanigan December 9, 2015

How’s this for recognition? State Superintendent Tom Torlakson recently cited the Laguna Beach Unified School District as one of the three leading digital districts in California. “These bright spots serve as lights of encouragement and guidance for our state,” Torlakson wrote in this letter to district leaders about technology and equity. [...]

OC Pathways Showcase demonstrates the sky is not the limit for Orange County students

Ian Hanigan December 2, 2015

Astronaut Leland Melvin, who voyaged to the International Space Station in 2008 and 2009, was the keynote speaker at the inaugural OC Pathways Showcase, held in Hangar 244 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. The event, featuring innovative displays from local schools, colleges and businesses, drew about 300 educators and business leaders to celebrate the first year of OC Pathways.

OC Pathways Showcase will highlight college and career partnerships on Dec. 2

Ian Hanigan November 24, 2015

A limited number of seats are still available for an upcoming showcase to celebrate the first year of OC Pathways, an initiative that's paving the way to college and career success and strengthening the 21st-century workforce. Open to educators and industry leaders, the inaugural OC Pathways Showcase on Dec. 2 will feature innovative displays from local schools, colleges and businesses, as well as a keynote address from NASA astronaut Leland Melvin. “Equipping Students for the Global Innovation Economy” is the theme of the event, which will be held from 7:30 to 10 a.m. inside Hangar 244 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine. [...]

Mijares: Hour of Code campaign offers students an introduction to computer science

Al Mijares November 22, 2015

"The Hour of Code offers a global introduction to computer science with one simple call to action," writes Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares. "It asks every single student and as many adults as possible to write code for one hour during the week of Dec. 7." In his latest column for the OCDE Newsroom, Dr. Mijares explains how a campaign that makes it easy to write code is demystifying the field of computer science.

In the news: New research on self-esteem, an app developed by San Clemente students and more

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2015

Hey, guess what? It's Friday again, and that means we've got another roundup of stories you might have missed. Click through for the latest education recaps and links.

Attendees of the STEM Communities Convening event

Local leaders share strategies for building ‘STEM ecosystems’ at national conference

Ian Hanigan November 12, 2015

Leaders from 27 education groups that focus on the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math have gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to exchange strategies for building STEM education. Specifically, they’re exploring ways to increase the number of STEM networks or ecosystems, which promote learning in these fields by fostering collaboration among schools, businesses and community organizations. [...]