OCDE Newsroom

An aerial view shows emergency crews cooling a large industrial storage tank with water at the site of the Garden Grove chemical leak as mist rises from the facility.

Garden Grove chemical leak: OCFA says explosion threat eliminated at compromised tank

Staff reports May 25, 2026

Sierra Vista Middle School students Aryan Shah, Krish Marfatia, Kaito Yamashita and Davis Barbee win the Stephenson Family Award for Sports History at the NHD-CA contest earlier this month.

Orange County claims state-leading honors at National History Day, sends 21 students to finals

Madeline Gray May 22, 2026

Students participating in the OC GRIP program gather at Angel Stadium before the Los Angeles Angels’ May 19 game against the Oakland Athletics.

Weekly roundup: Sports Illustrated highlights OC GRIP mentorship event at Angel Stadium, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 22, 2026

From left, Rebekah Rylant of Don Juan Avila Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District, Rolando Vivar of Fulton Middle School in the Fountain Valley School District and Pam McShea of Dysinger Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District were recognized with 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Advisor Awards from the Orange County Department of Education.

OCDE PAL team honors six campuses, three advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 21, 2026

Student from Connections at University High DHH program brings artistic ASL to school musical

Nathaniel Martinez May 20, 2026

Van Ton-Quinlivan delivers a presentation

How to build a workforce resistant to automation and disruptive technologies? Experts discuss

Ian Hanigan April 23, 2018

Artificial intelligence. A new wave of automation. The rise of the gig economy. These are some of the challenges facing...

6 questions — and answers — about the California Healthy Youth Act

Ian Hanigan April 20, 2018

The California Healthy Youth Act, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2016, requires school districts throughout the state to provide students with...

Weekly roundup: Angel legends promote literacy, Samaritan launches one-man kindness campaign, and more

Fermin Leal April 20, 2018

Former Angel legends Clyde Wright, Rod Carew, Chuck Finley and Bobby Grich hosted more than 100 second-graders at the Diamond Club of Angel Stadium to celebrate the students’ graduation from the Literacy Project’s reading program. The Newport Beach-based organization promoted...

coach tosses a football to student athlete

VIDEO: OCDE’s sports league promotes more than just competition

Fermin Leal April 19, 2018

In the Orange County Department of Education athletics program, wins and losses are likely the least important focus for teams....

#kindness1billion: He’s made it his New Year’s resolution to perform one kind act every day

Ian Hanigan April 18, 2018

On a cool day in January, Jared Hoyer spotted some on-duty police officers and bought them donuts. A week later,...

VIDEO: Science gets immersive at Rancho Soñado, one of 14 field trip sites offered by Inside the Outdoors

Ian Hanigan April 17, 2018

Nestled against the Santa Ana Mountains, Rancho Soñado serves as the home base of OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors environmental education program. It’s also one of the program’s popular field trips sites, giving students throughout the region a chance to explore...

Three students from Russell Elementary School

Garden Grove Unified to open a second Spanish dual-language program in 2018-19

Ian Hanigan April 16, 2018

The Garden Grove Unified School District is gearing up for the launch of its second Spanish dual-language program. Coming out...

Weekly roundup: A Mendez memorial, national assessment scores, Imaginology festival, district news and more

Ian Hanigan April 13, 2018

The City of Westminster is moving forward with plans to build a park and monument commemorating the landmark Mendez et...

An image of children from the VSA Festival

VIDEO: VSA Festival to celebrate the artistic accomplishments of individuals with disabilities

Ian Hanigan April 13, 2018

The Orange County Department of Education and VSA Orange County are teaming up to celebrate the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities at the 42nd annual VSA Festival. The event, hosted by MainPlace Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday,...

High school students earn honors in state competition for aspiring teachers

Ian Hanigan April 12, 2018

High schoolers from Santa Ana and Orange have won first-place honors in two of three state competitions organized by a...