OCDE Newsroom

Weekly roundup: Two OC students expand healthcare access through nonprofit, and more

Madeline Gray July 24, 2026

AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3 to explore innovation, leadership and workforce readiness

Vicky Nguyen July 24, 2026

No Kid Hungry names Fullerton Joint Union director as Summer EBT champion

Vicky Nguyen July 23, 2026

Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and Marvin Smith pose together in a studio

FutureCurrent: Former NFL player Marvin Smith on purpose, prevention and serving others

Ian Hanigan July 21, 2026

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's first surgeon general, delivers the keynote address during the California Multi-Tiered System of Supports Professional Learning Institute on July 14 in Anaheim. Burke Harris spoke about the role of nurturing relationships and coordinated systems in supporting children's health, resilience and learning.

More than 2,300 educators gather to strengthen student supports at California MTSS Professional Learning Institute

Vicky Nguyen July 21, 2026

Boxing champ talks knockdowns and decisions with students from OCDE’s alternative ed program

Ian Hanigan November 23, 2020

As a champion prizefighter shared his story, students from OCDE’s alternative education program had virtual ringside seats. Abner Mares, who...

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana Unified debuts new pilot program, OC moves to most restrictive purple tier, and more

Nichole Pichardo November 20, 2020

To help students and families who require extra help with distance learning, the Santa Ana Unified School District recently launched...

Huntington Beach City School District lands new superintendent

Ian Hanigan November 19, 2020

A veteran educational leader from Laguna Beach Unified has been tapped to serve as the next superintendent of the Huntington Beach City School District. Dr. Leisa Winston, whose career spans more than 20 years as an elementary special education teacher,...

OC Pathways Showcase takes a virtual journey through career and technical education in Orange County

Nichole Pichardo November 18, 2020

“It’s never too early to start building your network.” That’s the advice Doug Palladini, global brand president for Vans, said...

From behind the scenes to the front line: Here’s how maintenance teams are keeping OC campuses healthy

Nichole Pichardo November 17, 2020

It’s not just hand sanitizer, hand washing and social distancing that keep our local schools and workplaces safe. A group...

Sous chef from Anaheim announced as one of California’s top classified employees

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

A sous chef from the Anaheim Union High School District has been named one of six 2020 California Classified School Employees of the Year. Phillip Burns, who has spent the last seven years in Anaheim’s Food Services division, earned top...

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana Unified enters partnership, secondary students return in Newport-Mesa, and more

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

The 50,000-student Santa Ana Unified School District and six other large districts in California recently announced they’re committing to a...

Virtual school counseling conference draws more than 700 attendees

Ian Hanigan November 13, 2020

Nurturing student resilience was the focus of a virtual conference attended by hundreds of Orange County school counselors and educational...

State Board of Education approves shortened standardized tests for students

Nichole Pichardo November 12, 2020

The California State Board of Education last week voted unanimously to adopt a shortened version of the Smarter Balanced standardized tests in English language arts and mathematics. Each spring, California students in grades three through eight and 11 take the...

OCDE’s homeless education program seeks supplies for local families

Ian Hanigan November 10, 2020

OCDE’s stockpile of supplies for families experiencing homelessness is running on empty. Jeanne Awrey, who coordinates the department’s homeless education...