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Attendees pose with Carl the Collector and OCDE Language Services Coordinator Natalia Abarca, in orange, during the department’s International Translation Day celebration at PBS SoCal studios in Costa Mesa.

OCDE celebrates International Translation Day at PBS SoCal studios

Vicky Nguyen October 5, 2026
Stacey Middle School students perform El Baile de las Cintas, or the dance of the ribbons, at the City's Fall Festival Culture Night on Sept. 24 honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photos courtesy of Westminster School District)

Weekly roundup: Westminster students honor Hispanic Heritage Month through music and dance, and more

Madeline Gray October 2, 2026

New podcast in English and Spanish guides Orange County families through educational landscape

Madeline Gray October 1, 2026
OCDE leaders and staff surprise Language Services Coordinator Natalia Abarca, center, with a Visionary Leadership Award in recognition of her work advancing language access in education.

10th annual OCDE conference celebrates growth of language access profession

Vicky Nguyen September 30, 2026
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans pose together in the OCDE Media Services studio

FutureCurrent: Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans on AI, student voice and the future of learning

Ian Hanigan September 29, 2026
THHS Thrift Store

Trabuco Hills High opens on-campus, student-run thrift store

Nathaniel Martinez October 10, 2025
Trabuco Hills High School recently opened Monty and Millie's Exchange, an on-campus thrift store designed and operated by students. The store teaches retail and customer services skills while giving students a unique shopping experience.
OC Pathways launches a new CTE Credential for industry experts to share their expertise with students.

WATCH: Industry experts bring workforce skills to the classroom through CTE Credential

Madeline Gray October 9, 2025
Industry professionals with real-world expertise can now earn a teaching credential through OC Pathways' program, opening the door to share their skills with students while shaping the future workforce.
Eighth-grade students from Valadez Middle School Academy read "Piper Chen Sings" with first graders from Melrose and Rio Vista elementary schools during the 15th annual Read for the Record event on Oct. 26, 2024. The celebration, part of a worldwide literacy campaign, promotes the importance of early reading and language development.

OC students outperform peers statewide, nearing pre-pandemic levels in English

Vicky Nguyen October 9, 2025
Orange County students once again outperformed their state and regional peers on California’s annual assessments, with English language arts scores nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels and similar gains in math and science.
Natalia Abarca, coordinator of OCDE’s Language Services unit, welcomes guests to the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference.

OCDE’s Interpreters and Translators Conference spotlights communication for families

Vicky Nguyen October 8, 2025
The Orange County Department of Education hosted its ninth annual Interpreters and Translators Conference Oct. 3–4 at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, bringing together language professionals for two days of training, networking and recognition.
A note from Dr. Bean

Dr. Bean: What do you get a country turning 250?

Stefan Bean October 6, 2025
What do you get a country turning 250 years old? It’s not a question we ask often — or even...
U.S. Department of Education building exterior

Weekly roundup: Four OC students named U.S. Presidential Scholars, Brea Olinda schools participate in attendance challenge, and more

Vicky Nguyen October 3, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the 2025 class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for graduating high school seniors. Among the 161 students recognized nationwide are 10 from California, including four from Orange County....

Shutdown won’t immediately impact most federal school funding in Orange County

Ian Hanigan October 1, 2025
Most programs that rely on federal support in Orange County schools won’t be impacted by this week’s government shutdown — at least in the short term.

OCDE to launch Innovation Funding Initiative to fuel bold ideas in OC school districts

Ian Hanigan October 1, 2025
OCDE is launching the Innovation Funding Initiative to invest in bold ideas from Orange County school districts that address unmet needs and strengthen student outcomes. Districts may apply beginning Dec. 3 for awards of up to $525,000 to support three-year projects, with the first grantees expected to be announced in early 2026.
Westminster High School students perform onstage during the Saturday program.

Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum Conference draws more than 400 participants

Vicky Nguyen September 30, 2025
More than 400 educators and community members attended the Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum Conference Sept. 26–27 in Garden Grove, featuring 26 sessions, three community tours and keynote presentations.
A sound engineer adjusts equipment while a high school student sits with an acoustic guitar in a recording studio.

Orange County high school students invited to submit original songs for USA 250-OC competition

Vicky Nguyen September 29, 2025
Orange County high school students can enter the USA 250-OC Theme Song Competition by submitting an original song of 250 seconds or less in one of eight genres. Top entries will earn cash prizes and be performed at a countywide July 4 celebration.
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