OCDE Newsroom

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

Sierra Vista Middle School students Aryan Shah, Krish Marfatia, Kaito Yamashita and Davis Barbee win the Stephenson Family Award for Sports History at the NHD-CA contest earlier this month.

Orange County claims state-leading honors at National History Day, sends 21 students to finals

Madeline Gray May 22, 2026

Group of staff members watching a presentation

Professional learning spotlight: OCDE to offer training on Universal Design for Learning

Ian Hanigan September 26, 2024

You might have heard the term Universal Design for Learning, or UDL. It’s a teaching method that supports diverse learning...

Cropped AUHSD Civic Learning Award with Guerrero and Thurmond

Chief justice and state superintendent present Kennedy High School with Civic Learning Award of Excellence

Vicky Nguyen September 25, 2024

Students at Kennedy High School in La Palma welcomed two distinguished visitors on Monday, Sept. 23, as State Superintendent Tony...

Orange County decathlon teams earn trophies and medals at the 2024 California Academic Decathlon on March 24.

OCDE recruits school teams for 2024-25 Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon events

Vicky Nguyen September 24, 2024

As the new school year unfolds, the Orange County Department of Education invites middle and high school teams to participate in the 2024-25 Academic Decathlon and Pentathlon season, building on last season’s success. This year’s competitions will elevate academic achievement...

Schools to include Mendez v. Westminster case in curriculum based on new law

Ian Hanigan September 24, 2024

Public schools across California will include the landmark civil rights case Mendez v. Westminster in history and social science courses...

Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum Cover Image

Educators to get first look at Vietnamese American model curriculum at San Jose conference

Staff reports September 24, 2024

A new model curriculum that focuses on the history, culture and experiences of Vietnamese Americans will be introduced at a...

Two Orange County schools earn 2024 National Blue Ribbon honors

Vicky Nguyen September 23, 2024

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded two Orange County campuses the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools honor, considered the nation’s top accolade for individual schools based on academic achievement. The recipients are South Lake Middle School in the Irvine...

Dr. Bean: AI signals a new era for teaching and learning in Orange County

Stefan Bean September 23, 2024

As an eighth-grader, Ibrahim Memon from Tustin’s Legacy Magnet Academy began working on an AI-powered app designed to allow rideshare...

Weekly roundup: OC seniors named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, students return to home campuses after fire closures, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 20, 2024

More than 220 high school seniors from Orange County have been named semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program,...

WATCH: Celebrity Chef Jonathan Zaragoza highlights Ocean View High School’s Hispanic Heritage Festival

Nathaniel Martinez September 19, 2024

Tacos are generally a can’t-miss food item in terms of taste. Now imagine how much better they would taste if a renowned celebrity chef made them himself. That’s exactly what students experienced at Ocean View High School in the Huntington...

OCDE business services chief honored with state award for educational leadership

Ian Hanigan September 17, 2024

Dean West, OCDE’s associate superintendent of Business Services, was honored by the California County Superintendents on Tuesday during the group’s...