OCDE Newsroom

OCDE Prevention Education Coordinator Stephan Lambert speaks with an attendee during the department’s Thrive Resource Fair on Sept. 25, 2025, at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

Weekly roundup: OCDE staff featured in Educational Leadership article on student digital wellness, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 11, 2026

Person viewing OCDE’s redesigned website on a laptop and smartphone, showing the site’s responsive layout across desktop and mobile devices.

OCDE launches redesigned website with fresh look and improved user experience

Ian Hanigan September 10, 2026

Los Alamitos High School students work behind the microphones during the school’s first student-produced live varsity football broadcast on Sept. 4.

Los Alamitos High students take the controls for first live sports broadcast

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2026

Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School students in the Santa Ana Unified School District earn special certificates and prizes for completing the 2025 STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge. (Courtesy of Mendez Intermediate)

Blue Origin astronaut to help launch fifth STEAM Reading Challenge

Madeline Gray September 9, 2026

Attendees make their way to sessions during OCDE’s AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3 at the department’s Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE Connected Leadership Conference to bring district professionals together Oct. 20

Vicky Nguyen September 9, 2026

Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

Get to know the 2025 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 19, 2025

Quick look: Nine outstanding classified employees from Orange County school districts have been recognized for their dedication and service, with...

Future of California’s ethnic studies requirement remains uncertain following May budget revision

Ian Hanigan May 19, 2025

Quick look: California’s plan to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement may be on hold — at least...

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 welcome for Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto and sports radio host Roger Lodge last Friday as part of the...

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...

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 — even as the state works to close a $12 billion deficit. Still, local schools and districts are planning cautiously...

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...

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, hosted April 23 by the Orange County Department of Education. The event honored 57 students for academic excellence, leadership and...

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...