OCDE Newsroom

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

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...