• Latest News
  • Featured
    • Notes from Dr. Bean
    • OC fire update
  • About the OCDE Newsroom
  • Subscribe for updates
  • OCDE.us
  • About OCDE
  • County Superintendent of Schools
Students in the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant cohort celebrate completing the tuition-free program offered through a partnership between Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College. Participants completed coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school.

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified, Santiago Canyon College celebrates first certified nursing assistant cohort, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2026
The Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College recently celebrated the completion of their first certified nursing assistant cohort,...
Dr. Stefan Bean raises his right hand while his four children administer the oath of office during an Orange County Board of Education meeting.

Orange County superintendent, board members sworn in at organizational meeting

Ian Hanigan July 9, 2026
Quick look: Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean and Orange County Board of Education members Mari Barke and...
Huntington Beach Quarterback Roxie Shaia drops back to pass in a game against Marina High School.

Huntington Beach and Newport Harbor High invited to national girls flag football tournament

Nathaniel Martinez July 9, 2026
Quick look: After establishing themselves as two of the top girls flag football teams in the country, Huntington Beach High...

FutureCurrent: OC Arts and Disability Director Marleena Barber and able artist Joshua Roy share the power of arts inclusion

Madeline Gray July 8, 2026
Quick look: On the latest episode of FutureCurrent, Orange County Arts and Disability Director and OCDE Arts Consultant Marleena Barber...
A public service announcement produced by the Orange County Department of Education plays before a movie at Regal Garden Grove, raising awareness about the risks of nitrous oxide misuse.

OCDE brings nitrous oxide awareness campaign to local movie theaters

Vicky Nguyen July 8, 2026
A new public service announcement produced by the Orange County Department of Education is appearing in two Garden Grove movie theaters through November, encouraging families to learn about the dangers of nitrous oxide misuse and start conversations with young people.
Don Austin

Laguna Beach Unified welcomes back Don Austin as new superintendent

Ian Hanigan July 2, 2026
Quick look: Dr. Don Austin officially began serving as superintendent of Laguna Beach Unified this week, returning to a district...
OC students Logan Thielen, Deon Witte and Aryan Goya earned top honors at the California National Civics Bee Competition held June 27 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. (Courtesy of the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce Foundation)

Weekly roundup: Three Orange County scholars bring home top honors at state civics bee, and more

Madeline Gray July 2, 2026
Three Orange County middle school students earned the top three spots at the California National Civics Bee on June 27,...
California State Capitol Building

These state education laws take effect July 1 as California schools prepare for the new year

Ian Hanigan July 1, 2026
While most new California laws go into effect on Jan. 1, some receive delayed implementation dates to give agencies and...
An adult and child place coins into a pink piggy bank, representing college and career savings opportunities available through the CalKIDS program.

Schools have new tools to help Orange County students claim their CalKIDS scholarship funds

Ian Hanigan July 1, 2026
Quick look: Thousands of Orange County high school students may have money they don’t know about in their CalKIDS scholarship...
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock speaks during the 2025 National Safe Schools Conference at the Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove. The annual conference convenes educators, school safety professionals and law enforcement representatives from across the country.

National Safe Schools Conference brings experts to Orange County for July 8-10 event

Vicky Nguyen July 1, 2026
More than 500 educators, school safety professionals and law enforcement representatives are expected to attend the 17th annual National Safe Schools Conference July 8-10 in Garden Grove, where experts will share practical strategies for creating safer, more supportive schools.
University high DHH students at graduation

ACCESS, Connections students mark graduation milestone

Nathaniel Martinez June 29, 2026
Celebrating the Class of 2026 A look at the ACCESS and Connections graduation ceremonies across Orange County Read now keywords...
Dr. Amita Cloke

OCDE names Dr. Amita Cloke assistant superintendent of Special Education

Ian Hanigan June 29, 2026
Quick look: Dr. Amita Cloke has been named OCDE’s next assistant superintendent of Special Education. The longtime educator, clinician and...
Students participate in an outdoor hands-on activity during the Tustin Summer Academy, which offers a variety of enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students.

Weekly roundup: Tustin Summer Academy offers hands-on learning beyond the classroom, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 26, 2026
Students are spending part of their summer baking sourdough bread, designing robots, publishing children’s books and exploring cuisines from around...
Crossed-out substances

OCDE equips parents with Family Digital Toolkit to combat substance-use trends

Nathaniel Martinez June 25, 2026
A few taps and swipes on a social media app can quickly shape what a student sees online — including...
California students and educators participate in the Parade of States during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National History Day National Contest at the University of Maryland.

Orange County students earn national honors at National History Day finals

Vicky Nguyen June 25, 2026
Orange County students earned a national championship, finalist honors, special awards and a museum showcase selection at the 2026 National History Day National Contest, helping California continue its strong performance at the annual competition.
Debora Wondercheck, founder and CEO of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, joins County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean and educator Lainie Rowell for an episode of OCDE’s FutureCurrent podcast.

FutureCurrent: Arts & Learning Conservancy founder Debora Wondercheck discusses the power of arts education

Vicky Nguyen June 23, 2026
On the latest episode of FutureCurrent, Arts & Learning Conservatory founder and CEO Debora Wondercheck discusses how a family story rooted in exclusion helped shape her life's work expanding access to arts education for students across Orange County.
Dr. Grant Litfin has been appointed as the next superintendent of the Cypress School District and is scheduled to begin serving in the role July 1.

Cypress School District appoints Dr. Grant Litfin as next superintendent

Vicky Nguyen June 22, 2026
The Cypress School District Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Grant Litfin, currently Tustin Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of administrative services, as its next superintendent. He will assume the role July 1 following the retirement of Superintendent Anne Silavs.
Graphic displaying the CYBHI logo above the words "Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Fee Schedule" on a blurred background of students and school staff.

WATCH: How schools can use existing insurance coverage to support student mental health services

Ian Hanigan June 22, 2026
A new OCDE video explains how schools can use existing insurance coverage to help support student mental health services at no cost to families.
Fresh produce is available at the Dolphin Food Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School in Fullerton. The food pantry serves families throughout the year, including during the summer months.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton’s Dolphin Food Market extends support through summer break, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 18, 2026
The Dolphin Food Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School will remain open throughout the summer, providing food and resources to...
Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called "The Cat Robot."

PHOTOS: Orange County student makers celebrated for creating problem-solving innovations

Madeline Gray June 16, 2026
More than 460 Orange County student innovators submitted 206 prototypes designed to address real-world challenges as part of the annual ocMaker Challenge. Thirty-seven teams from 20 schools earned first- through third-place awards and 16 special awards presented before an audience of more than 300 attendees.
“A Moment in the Sun,” created by Juni Lee, a 12th-grade student at Sunny Hills High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.

93rd Festival of Arts to showcase more than 330 pieces by Orange County students

Vicky Nguyen June 16, 2026
More than 330 student-created artworks and film projects representing schools across Orange County will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.
Participants sit at round tables during the State of the Student Forum at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa while listening to a panel discussion and presentation about student outcomes and community partnerships.

State of the Student Forum sparks conversation about supporting OC learners

Ian Hanigan June 15, 2026
The second annual State of the Student Forum brought together education and community leaders from across Orange County to explore findings from the latest State of the Student report, examining trends in student achievement, well-being and school climate and discussing how those insights can help support students and families.
Painters from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School pose for a photo while working on a mural depicting the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.

Weekly roundup: Westminster students create mural inspired by Bolsa Chica Wetlands, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 12, 2026
Bright colors, marine life and local history came together this spring as students from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School collaborated on a mural inspired by the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.
OCDE signage

The bell behind the brand

Nathaniel Martinez June 10, 2026
Quick look: Learn more about how the OCDE logo nods to a foundational piece of California’s history: The El Camino...
OCDE logo

200 Kalmus Drive 
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

P.O. Box 9050 
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-9050

(714) 966-4000

Website publishing policy
Non-discrimination policy
Social media policy

Contact

Thanks for visiting the OCDE Newsroom. Questions and story suggestions should be sent to communications@ocde.us.

If you’re a member of the media in need of information about the Orange County Department of Education, please email communications@ocde.us or call 714-966-4475.

Tags

academic competition ACCESS acts of kindness Al Mijares career exploration college and career readiness Dr. Stefan Bean education contest education in the news education news Inside the Outdoors kindness1billion OCDE ocde weekly roundup OC Pathways Orange County Department of Education project based learning STEM top stories Weekly Roundup
  • Latest News
  • About the OCDE Newsroom
  • Subscribe for updates
  • OCDE.us
  • About OCDE
  • County Superintendent of Schools
Type to search or hit ESC to close
See all results