OCDE Newsroom

Sam Darnold posing with his retired jersey alongside Head Coach Jaime Ortiz at the Triton Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at the Talega Golf Course in San Clemente.

San Clemente High School alumnus Sam Darnold has jersey retired and is inducted into school’s Hall of Fame

Nathaniel Martinez July 16, 2026

Recipients of the 2025 Outstanding STEM Educator Awards gather for a group photo following last year's awards celebration at the Orange County Department of Education Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE announces 2026 Outstanding STEM Educators

Vicky Nguyen July 15, 2026

Natalia Abarca, coordinator of OCDE’s Language Services unit, welcomes guests to the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference.

Language access professionals to celebrate 10 years of growth at OCDE conference

Vicky Nguyen July 14, 2026

Students in the inaugural Certified Nursing Assistant cohort celebrate completing the tuition-free program offered through a partnership between Orange Unified School District and Santiago Canyon College. Participants completed coursework and hands-on clinical training while still enrolled in high school.

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified, Santiago Canyon College celebrates first certified nursing assistant cohort, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2026

Dr. Stefan Bean raises his right hand while his four children administer the oath of office during an Orange County Board of Education meeting.

Orange County superintendent, board members sworn in at organizational meeting

Ian Hanigan July 9, 2026

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and sports radio host Roger Lodge visit College Park Elementary students in Costa Mesa May 9. (Angels Baseball Foundation)

Weekly roundup: Los Angeles Angels bring star power to College Park Elementary, ten school districts named best in music education, and more

Madeline Gray May 16, 2025

College Park Elementary in Costa Mesa was buzzing with excitement last Friday as students and staff rolled out a warm...

OCDE’s Connections partners with Fullerton Head Start to expand DHH with disabilities program

Nathaniel Martinez May 15, 2025

Quick look: OCDE’s Connections program has expanded its Deaf and Hard of Hearing with Disabilities services to preschoolers through a...

OC students recognized for raising mental health awareness through film

Madeline Gray May 14, 2025

Quick look: Six short films created by Orange County students were honored for spotlighting mental health and suicide prevention at the regional Directing Change Film Contest awards, with two advancing to the statewide competition later this month. Through personal storytelling,...

Governor’s plan maintains key education funding as state addresses $12 billion shortfall

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025

Quick look: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget plan for 2025-26 preserves funding for key K-12 programs — including expanded learning...

Young Ken Kafton operating a printing press alongside Lin Trestrail in the San Joaquin School District print shop, early 1970s

Still printing after all these years: Irvine Unified employee has seen it all since day one

Ian Hanigan May 14, 2025

Quick look: Ken Kafton began working in Irvine Unified before the district was officially established. More than 50 years later,...

McGarvin Intermediate School students from the Garden Grove Unified School District read and answer questions as a team during the Super Quiz round of the 2025 Orange County Academic Pentathlon, held May 3 at Bolsa Grande High School.

Five Orange County teams heading to the United States Academic Pentathlon competition

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025

Quick look: Five middle school teams from Orange County will represent the region at the United States Academic Pentathlon National Finals, taking place May 15 through May 17 at the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk in Texas. The competition, themed “Our...

Two AVID Senior Standouts pose with bouquets ahead of the 2025 OC AVID Senior Standout Recognition and Scholarship Presentation, held April 23 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

2025 OC AVID senior standouts honored with more than $475,000 in scholarships

Vicky Nguyen May 12, 2025

Quick look: More than $475,000 in scholarships was awarded to 52 graduating seniors during the 2025 AVID Senior Standout celebration,...

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program medallion from YoungArts

Weekly roundup: 14 OC students named semifinalists for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, Artists of the Year take center stage, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 9, 2025

Fourteen Orange County high school seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, placing them among...

Retired U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano and Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Grace F. Napolitano Outdoor Learning Center at Sunburst Youth Academy.

Sunburst Youth Academy dedicates outdoor learning center in honor of Rep. Grace Napolitano

Ian Hanigan May 9, 2025

Quick look: Sunburst Youth Academy dedicated a new outdoor learning center in honor of retired Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, recognizing her decades of advocacy for at-promise youth. The $500,000 project was funded in partnership with OCDE, the California National Guard and...

State leaders briefed on California MTSS gains, encouraged to sustain framework

Ian Hanigan May 8, 2025

Quick look: State leaders were briefed Thursday on the progress of the California MTSS framework, which has demonstrated success in...