OCDE Newsroom

Orange County Youth Council students launch Season 2 of ‘Keep in Mind’ podcast

Nathaniel Martinez May 28, 2026

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

Students smiling at the Orange County Academic Decathlon

In the news: The 2016 Orange County Academic Decathlon concludes with a flourish

Ian Hanigan February 10, 2016

In case you missed it, the Orange County Register published a fun recap — with nearly a dozen pictures — of Saturday’s Super Quiz...

An image of the Union Bank branch at Loara High School in Anaheim

Students at Anaheim’s Loara High School bank on unique job training opportunity (video)

Ian Hanigan February 10, 2016

Here’s a story that’s earning interest. Union Bank has opened an actual working branch on the campus of Loara High School...

An image of a student holding a notebook

OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy offers a path to graduation and much more

Ian Hanigan February 8, 2016

Kirstie Suarez’s family moved several times when she was in high school, bouncing between California, North Carolina and Florida before Suarez took her final classes at Saddleback High School in Santa Ana. Somewhere along the way, she fell two classes...

What is California MTSS? Here’s your four-minute primer (video)

Ian Hanigan February 5, 2016

As we’ve mentioned here before, education offers more than its share of buzzwords, acronyms and jargon, but some are definitely worth...

Youth from OCDE’s Friday Night Live program host town hall meeting on underage drinking

Ian Hanigan February 3, 2016

Student leaders from the Santiago de Compostela Church Youth Ministry’s Friday Night Live chapter are getting ready to host a special...

Kristin Rigby, a program specialist in charge of academic events

OCDE in 30 Seconds: We break down the Orange County Academic Decathlon in half a minute

Ian Hanigan February 3, 2016

What is the Orange County Academic Decathlon? Well, if you’ve got 30 seconds, we’ll tell you. “OCDE in 30 Seconds” is a new feature that asks — or challenges — a staff member to describe an Orange County Department...

In the news: Career pathway programs on the rise, a bankable opportunity in Anaheim and more

Ian Hanigan January 29, 2016

It’s that time again. Here’s a week’s worth of local education stories you might have missed. California’s teacher shortage is likely...

Students in a gym taking part in a previous Super Quiz Relay

Area high school teams prep for the 48th annual Orange County Academic Decathlon

Ian Hanigan January 28, 2016

Over the next two Saturdays, more than 500 students from 43 local high schools will participate in the 48th annual...

Orange County Friday Night Live secures grant to combat underage drinking

Ian Hanigan January 26, 2016

For the second straight year, the Orange County Department of Education has been awarded a sizeable grant to support the efforts of youth leaders in the Friday Night Live program as they implement campaigns designed to combat underage drinking in their...

Parenting OC magazine is looking to recognize exemplary teachers in Orange County

Ian Hanigan January 25, 2016

Does your child have a star teacher? Or do you work with an educator who is doing extraordinary things in the...