OCDE Newsroom

Kari Adams speaks onstage at the 2025 Thompson Policy Institute Summit on Disability and Inclusion at Chapman University, standing in front of a presentation screen displaying the words “Inclusive Leadership.”

OCDE and Chapman University partnership aims to strengthen inclusive leadership in schools

Ian Hanigan May 27, 2026

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.

Chemical tank update: Evacuation orders lifted as officials declare no further risk to public

Staff reports May 26, 2026

Lainie Rowell, Dr. Stefan Bean and David Blair stand together on the set of the FutureCurrent podcast studio at the Orange County Department of Education.

FutureCurrent: Bright Futures Foundation leader David Blair discusses student-centered innovation

Ian Hanigan May 26, 2026

From left, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Raelene Velasquez, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Aller, Sunburst Youth Academy Director Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, Principal Dinah Ismail, OCDE Executive Director of Special Education Dr. Amita Cloke and OCDE Manager of Human Resources Support Services Lorena Villa pose for a photo during the 2026 California Classified School Employees of the Year recognition ceremony in Sacramento.

Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator honored as California Classified School Employee of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 26, 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

An image of a sign at the Water Expo at Brea High School

Brea Olinda High classes partner with OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors program to promote water conservation

Ian Hanigan May 24, 2016

Students enrolled in AP environmental science courses at Brea Olinda High School recently spent their lunch break educating schoolmates and...

A photo of Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Manager Mike Scioscia

#Kindness1Billion: Now batting for kindness, Los Angeles Angels skipper Mike Scioscia

Ian Hanigan May 23, 2016

When OCDE officially launched its One Billion Acts of Kindness campaign on May 5, it did so with the help of...

In the news: OC, state graduation rates on the rise, Los Alamitos students master nearly 150,000 words and more

Staff reports May 20, 2016

The OCDE weekly roundup is ready — are you, Orange County? Here’s what’s happening in education news this week: The state Department of Education released figures showing graduation rates in Orange County and the rest of California are up for the...

#kindness1billion: One Billion Acts of Kindness campaign hits the ground running

Ian Hanigan May 19, 2016

The early returns are in for OCDE’s newly launched One Billion Acts of Kindness campaign. In just a few weeks,...

An image of a student competing at the state-level National History Day contest

A dozen OC students will compete at the National History Day competition in Maryland

Ian Hanigan May 18, 2016

Six National History Day projects from Orange County — and the 12 students who created them — have been selected...

Orange County high school graduation rates have increased for the sixth straight year

Ian Hanigan May 17, 2016

Graduation rates for Orange County and the rest of California are up for the sixth year in a row, according to figures released this week by the state Department of Education. In fact, of the OC students who started high school in the...

An image of Tustin High juniors working on a prosthetic arm for a seventh-grade student

#Kindness1Billion: Tustin High juniors use 3-D printer to create prosthetic arm for fellow student

Ian Hanigan May 17, 2016

Tustin High was the first campus in Orange County to acquire a 3-D printer. Eight years later, it’s being utilized for...

An image of two students who won first place at the ocMaker Challenge

La Quinta High School duo wins first place at 2016 ocMaker Challenge for innovative ‘Fork Five’ design

Staff reports May 16, 2016

The Fork Five received the ultimate “high five” at the 2016 ocMaker Challenge. Two students from La Quinta High School in the...

In the news: The 2017 Orange County Teachers of the Year, altruistic Aliso Niguel High students and more

Staff reports May 13, 2016

It’s time to check the roundup. Here’s what’s happening in education news this week: A school bus carrying Orange County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares, OCDE staff, sponsors and media made surprise visits to four local schools and a community college...

OCDE Reprographics Supervisor Shawn Black

OCDE in 30 Seconds: The OCDE print shop makes business cards, books, brochures and more

Ian Hanigan May 12, 2016

It’s time for another installment of “OCDE in 30 Seconds.” This time around, we caught up with Reprographics Supervisor Shawn...