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

Educators and law enforcement to convene in OC for 15th annual Safe Schools Conference

Staff reports July 2, 2024

Continuing a united effort to bolster school safety, more than 500 professionals from education and law enforcement will gather for...

Teacher Danica Perez (far right) and her students, accompanied by local biologists, lead a successful cleanup effort at Coyote Hills Tree Park in May, focusing on removing invasive plants to restore the park's natural ecosystem.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton students join park restoration effort, TK students exempt from English-language proficiency test, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 28, 2024

Inspired to expand their own cleanup efforts, a teacher and students from Fullerton Union High School have embarked on a...

California high schools will require personal finance course for graduation under new bill

Madeline Gray June 28, 2024

Beginning with the graduating class of 2031, high school students in California will be required to complete one semester of a personal finance course before receiving their diplomas. On Saturday, June 29, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2927 to...

Orange County Students at National History Day

OC students shine at National History Day Contest

Nathaniel Martinez June 26, 2024

Orange County students showcased their impressive knowledge of historical events and their impact at the National History Day Contest in...

Educator Marianne Taylor discusses garden tasks with a student at Harbor Learning Center South Campus in Fountain Valley, while being filmed by KCAL News for a segment on Nov. 2, 2023.

OCDE’s Connections program earns Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning Award

Vicky Nguyen June 24, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education’s Special Education Services division, home to the Connections program, has been honored with the...

Laguna Beach High School Engineering Club

Weekly roundup: Laguna Beach students inspire younger peers through engineering workshops, Sunburst Youth Academy celebrates milestone, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 21, 2024

Laguna Beach High School’s Engineering Club, founded by rising senior Kamal Dimler, is aiming to make an impact this summer by sharing their passion for engineering with younger students at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. Through engaging,...