OCDE Newsroom

SVUSD Board President Suzie R. Swartz with a plaque

Longtime SVUSD trustee Suzie Swartz named CSBA’s 2025 Board Member of the Year

Ian Hanigan December 5, 2025

OCDE budget outlook remains stable but state faces long-term challenges

Ian Hanigan December 4, 2025

Sunny Hills High School students helped organize 93 baskets of Thanksgiving groceries to donate to local nonprofit Pathways for Hope at their food drive event. (Courtesy of Fullerton Joint Union High School District)

OC schools bring meals and more to local families this giving season

Madeline Gray December 4, 2025

Innovation Funding Initiative officially launches, offering up to $525,000 for bold ideas in OC schools

Ian Hanigan December 3, 2025

OCDE prepares year-end payroll for nearly 78,000 employees across Orange County

Vicky Nguyen December 3, 2025

Group photo of OCDE Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County Board of Education members Jorge Valdes, Mari Barke, Ken Williams, Lisa Sparks and Tim Shaw standing with student Rebecca Page and her teacher Mike Zanio.

‘A time to reflect, to honor’: Students participate in Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2025

Quick look: OCDE student Rebecca Page earned top honors in the Jack R. Hammett Memorial Day Essay and Art Contest,...

Students with their Civic Learning Pathway certificates

OCDE honors students and schools for civic learning achievements

Nathaniel Martinez May 7, 2025

The Orange County Department of Education recently celebrated local school districts and their students for championing civic learning at its...

Dr. Bean: Celebrating Orange County’s 2026 Teachers of the Year

Stefan Bean May 6, 2025

Most of us can point to a teacher who changed our lives — someone who saw us clearly and believed in what we could become. For me, that teacher was Donald Geisinger. As a newly adopted Vietnamese orphan in a...

Two high school students holding professional camera equipment

OC Supervisor Nguyen, County Superintendent Bean to host student career exploration event on May 22

Ian Hanigan May 5, 2025

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen and County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean are teaming up to present a special...

Orange County School of the Arts dance program

Weekly roundup: OC Register names this year’s top student artists, CalKIDS offers college scholarships, and more

Madeline Gray May 2, 2025

More than 900 high school artists — the most in the program’s history — were nominated this year for their...

Megan Lee, Loara Elementary School, Anaheim Elementary School District

OCDE announces 2026 Orange County Teachers of the Year with surprise visits

Staff reports May 1, 2025

Six outstanding educators received the surprise of a lifetime Wednesday as they were named 2026 Orange County Teachers of the Year. A big yellow school bus carrying OCDE representatives, sponsors, reporters and camera crews made celebratory stops at each teacher’s...

OCDE students channel creativity to explore wellness and advocacy through TUPE Art Showcase

Ian Hanigan April 30, 2025

In a quiet hallway of a Mission Viejo community center, a gallery of student artwork lines the walls, each piece...

Performing drummers at the Orange County Arts and Disability Festival

WATCH: 49th annual Arts and Disability Festival showcases creativity and inclusion

Ian Hanigan April 30, 2025

Hundreds gathered at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana this past Saturday to celebrate the talents of artists with disabilities during...

2025 California Classified School Employees of the Year

Three from Orange County named California Classified School Employees of the Year

Vicky Nguyen April 29, 2025

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced nine California Classified School Employees of the Year for 2025 — a group that includes a head custodian, a nutrition operations supervisor and a painter from Orange County. This marks the...