OCDE Newsroom

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana senior receives acceptance from Yale, Korean language program celebrates first graduating class, and more

Madeline Gray May 15, 2026

Saddleback Valley Unified School District students Deepali Srinivas and Gianella Rodriguez showcase their honored project, "ShamPOOCH-inator" at the OcMaker Meet the Maker event Feb. 27.

OcMaker Challenge Awards to spotlight student innovators on May 19

Madeline Gray May 15, 2026

Students and coaches from McGarvin Intermediate School in the Garden Grove Unified School District pose for a photo during the 2026 Orange County Academic Pentathlon competition at Savanna High School.

Four Orange County teams advance to United States Pentathlon National Finals

Vicky Nguyen May 15, 2026

Two students speak at a podium onstage during the Friday Night Live Chapter Recognition Ceremony at the Barclay Theatre.

OC Friday Night Live Partnership honors student chapters and advisor for prevention leadership

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2026

Governor’s May Revision proposes renewed investment in California MTSS

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2026

OC high school graduation rate dips to 89.5 percent with new state methodology

Fermin Leal August 2, 2018

Orange County’s high school graduation rate for the Class of 2017 dropped slightly to 89.5 percent, according to new state...

Q&A: OCDE special education chief retires after 50 years in education

Ian Hanigan July 30, 2018

The same year OCDE’s Dennis Roberson began his career in education, Andy Griffith left Mayberry, the Beatles cut the White...

Volleyball players from the U.S. and Japan greet before a match

Tustin High to host women’s volleyball match featuring U.S. and Japanese national teams

Ian Hanigan July 26, 2018

Tustin High School is hosting an exhibition match on Friday, July 27 between the USA Women’s National Volleyball Team and the Japanese National Team. The friendly competition is part of a joint training session between the U.S. squad and their...

teachers works with student at during classroom lesson

OCDE receives $15 million to partner with UCLA center to continue work aimed at improving school climate statewide

Fermin Leal July 25, 2018

The state Department of Education has awarded an additional $15 million to a partnership led by the Orange County Department...

Educators from the Huntington Beach City School District

OC educators seek out training that integrates instructional technology, innovation

Ian Hanigan July 23, 2018

When leaders of the Huntington Beach City School District selected a training program to enhance teaching and learning through technology,...

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and former California Education Secretary Dave Long

California educators, law enforcement reps gather in OC for school safety conference

Ian Hanigan July 19, 2018

More than 600 educators, school workers and law enforcement representatives have convened in Orange County this week to collaborate and share best practices on critical school safety topics, including bullying, mental health and campus violence. The ninth annual Safe Schools...

Q&A: OCDE’s retiring legal chief reflects on a career serving public schools

Ian Hanigan July 18, 2018

For more than 35 years, Ron Wenkart has been the go-to legal expert for local schools and districts, but his...

A group of students run toward their elementary school

Summer vacation ends for hundreds of students at three OC schools

Fermin Leal July 13, 2018

While scores of students across Orange County are hitting the beach, traveling on summer trips, or just sleeping through the...

OCDE, partners lauded for efforts to help foster youth apply for financial aid

Ian Hanigan July 12, 2018

Financial aid can be the difference-maker for those considering college. That’s why students of all backgrounds are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which determines eligibility for grants, fee-waivers and low-interest loans. But...

Students giving a PowerPoint presentation

Newhart Middle School student leaders take aim at the rise in vaping among youth

Ian Hanigan July 11, 2018

This year, a group of student leaders from Newhart Middle School in Capistrano Unified took it upon themselves to tackle a...