OCDE Newsroom

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. [...]

An image of Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares

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.

Mijares: Anaheim kindness campaign underscores the value of promoting character

Al Mijares November 4, 2015

An initiative in Anaheim that challenged local students to complete one million acts of kindness could be a model for the rest of the county, writes Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares. "As our schools charge forward with new educational standards and funding models, we cannot lose sight of the fact that a 21st-century education must also be a values-based education." Click through to read the superintendent's latest column.

Mijares: Results of new standards-based assessments reveal local success stories

Al Mijares October 8, 2015

"In September, the state released the first batch of new assessment scores that revealed how well students are learning California’s English and math instructional standards," writes Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares. "The result? Orange County students had outpaced their state and regional counterparts, both on the English and math portions of the test." Click through to read the superintendent's latest column.

Mijares: Research shows consistent attendance is critical to a student’s academic success

Al Mijares September 10, 2015

September isn't just back to school season, it's also Attendance Awareness Month, which is a good time to emphasize just how critically important it is for students to avoid unnecessary absences. Click through to read the latest column by Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County's superintendent of schools.

Mijares: Communication is vital to the success of OCDE and Orange County schools

Al Mijares August 14, 2015

As part of a strategic effort to strengthen collaboration and engagement, "OCDE is in the process of enhancing and expanding its communications presence by leveraging the latest media platforms to deliver news and information that is accessible, relevant, compelling and credible," writes Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County superintendent of schools. Click through to read the superintendent's latest column.

Mijares: JPL internship exemplifies collaborative efforts to create college and career pathways

Al Mijares July 13, 2015

A paid summer internship that has eight talented Santa Ana students working with JPL scientists and engineers is "precisely the type of experience that was envisioned when the state Department of Education awarded our own OC Pathways initiative a $15 million grant to expand career pathways for students from kindergarten through college," writes Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County superintendent of schools. Click through to read the superintendent’s latest column.

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.

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.

Former Orange County Superintendent John Dean

John F. Dean, former Orange County superintendent of schools, dies at 89

Staff reports May 27, 2015

John F. Dean, who served as Orange County superintendent of schools from 1991 through 2001 and led OCDE through the county’s 1994 bankruptcy, died last week at the age of 89. During his decade-spanning tenure as county superintendent, Dr. Dean was admired for his work in creating safe school environments with high achievement and low dropout rates. He advocated for funding to serve special education programs and supported the Alternative, Community, and Correctional Schools and Services program to include incarcerated students and students experiencing homelessness. [...]

Superintendent Al Mijares