OCDE Newsroom

Behind the credentials: OCDE’s Credentialing team keeps Orange County educators cleared at all times

Nathaniel Martinez October 9, 2026

Students in Hicks Canyon Elementary School's Mandarin Immersion Program pose with educators during the school's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Several children wore traditional Chinese-inspired clothing for the occasion. (Photo courtesy of the Tustin Unified School District)

Weekly roundup: Hicks Canyon Elementary students celebrate language and culture during Mid-Autumn Festival, and more

Vicky Nguyen October 9, 2026

College and Career Preparatory Academy student Samantha A. takes the stage to accept her Perseverance Award at the June 16 graduation ceremony.

WATCH: OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy celebrates one of its largest graduating classes

Madeline Gray October 9, 2026

Wendy Saldivar poses with Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean after receiving her 2027 Orange County Teacher of the Year award during a surprise classroom visit in April.

Loara Elementary teacher named one of five 2027 California Teachers of the Year

Vicky Nguyen October 8, 2026

Four education leaders pose at the Fullerton School District Board of Education meeting on July 27, 2026, holding a large ceremonial $525,000 check from OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative.

OCDE opens second round of Innovation Funding Initiative, offering up to $525,000 per project

Ian Hanigan October 7, 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...