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

WATCH: Educators converge in Anaheim for conference that aims to promote excellence for all learners

Ian Hanigan July 17, 2024

This week, the Anaheim Convention Center has become a hub for educational innovation, hosting more than 3,000 educators for the...

WATCH: OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy honors 141 graduates

Madeline Gray July 15, 2024

Since 2015, OCDE’s College and Career Preparatory Academy has provided independent study options and personalized guidance for young adults looking...

Fullerton School District students learn how to build in one of the district's Encore programs.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton district targets learning loss with summer programs, student-led nonprofit offers free math tutoring, and more

Nathaniel Martinez July 12, 2024

This summer, Fullerton School District students are keeping mentally active through the district’s Encore Program. Spectrum News recently featured FSD in a segment called “Life on Rosecrans,” which details the different communities that span the 27-mile street. FSD, otherwise known...

Safe Schools Conference highlights year-round commitment to student safety

Ian Hanigan July 11, 2024

School safety doesn’t take summers off. That was evident on Wednesday as hundreds of professionals from the education and law...

OCDE’s ACCESS program sees attendance boost with Spyder Lab partnership

Vicky Nguyen July 10, 2024

Teachers from the Orange County Department of Education’s Harbor Learning Center North and South campuses are facing a unique challenge:...

Parents talking to sports training providers.

Fullerton School District introduces dual-focused academic and athletic program

Nathaniel Martinez July 9, 2024

For Fullerton School District students grades six through eight, pursuing dreams of playing professional and collegiate sports will no longer come at the cost of their education. The district recently announced the launch of its game-changing Performance Academy Sports Program,...

"Fish" by Fullerton seventh-grader Andy Carranza will be on display alongside other student art in the Arts on the Move exhibit at the Bowers Museum this month.

Weekly roundup: OC student art exhibit returns to Bowers Museum, Los Alamitos fifth-grader premieres short film, and more

Madeline Gray July 5, 2024

Starting next week, the talents of student and adult artists will be on full display in the Arts on the...

WATCH: Dr. Stefan Bean sworn in as Orange County’s 12th superintendent of schools

Ian Hanigan July 3, 2024

Dr. Stefan Bean took the ceremonial oath of office at Wednesday’s Orange County Board of Education meeting, marking his formal...

WATCH: Tributes pour in to honor Dr. Mijares’ 12 years as county superintendent

Staff reports July 3, 2024

“Kindness is a virtue that powerfully manifests character, and character defines who you are.” — Dr. Al Mijares, Orange County superintendent of schools Throughout his 12-year career as Orange County’s superintendent of schools, Dr. Al Mijares consistently underscored the power of...