OCDE Newsroom

Four education leaders pose at the Fullerton School District Board of Education meeting on July 27, 2026, holding a large ceremonial $525,000 check from OCDE’s Innovation Funding Initiative.

OCDE opens second round of Innovation Funding Initiative, offering up to $525,000 per project

Ian Hanigan October 7, 2026

From left, Lynne Pentecost, CEO of Schoolhaus Advisors Inc.; Sara Ludovise and Yarib Dheming of OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors; Orange County Board of Education Trustee Mari Barke; Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean; board Clerk Dr. Ken Williams; board President Tim Shaw; Inside the Outdoors Operations Manager Stephanie Smith; and Robert Demmond, associate principal with tBP/Architecture, gather for the Rancho Soñado groundbreaking.

OCDE breaks ground on new Rancho Soñado education center, marking a long-awaited return

Ian Hanigan October 6, 2026

Saddleback High School students learn about plants and growing techniques during a Sept. 21 event celebrating the school’s $10,000 Future Innovators Initiative grant from Hyundai.

$10,000 Hyundai grant supports Saddleback High’s plans for outdoor STEM learning

Vicky Nguyen October 6, 2026

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

Dr. Bean named to Orange County Business Counsel board of directors.

Orange County Superintendent named to Orange County Business Council board of directors

Nathaniel Martinez November 13, 2024

The Orange County Business Council (OCBC) recently announced that Dr. Stefan Bean, Orange County superintendent of schools, has been named...

Franklin Elementary School cookie mock election

Weekly roundup: Fourth-graders cast votes in sweet mock election at Franklin Elementary, USDA to eliminate school lunch fees, and more

Vicky Nguyen November 8, 2024

Fourth graders at Franklin Elementary, part of the Santa Ana Unified School District, got a taste of democracy with a...

Jewish Federation of Orange County members with the Orange County Board of Education and County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean.

Jewish students share stories, experiences to counteract antisemitism, foster understanding in OC schools

Ian Hanigan November 7, 2024

Seeking to bridge cultural divides, Jewish high schoolers across Orange County are stepping into classrooms to share personal stories and insights about their faith and traditions. The Jewish Federation of Orange County created the Student to Student program to offer...

OCDE's Janet Dicker and David Longo cropped

OCDE teacher celebrated as educator of the year for dedication to Deaf education

Vicky Nguyen November 6, 2024

A teacher from the Orange County Department of Education’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing program recently received the Educator of...

The six Orange County Teacher of the Year finalists are congratulated by Mickey and Minnie at the Disneyland Hotel.

Orange County teachers honored for their strength and resilience at annual awards gala

Madeline Gray November 6, 2024

On Friday, 61 exceptional Orange County educators were celebrated for their transformative impact on students both inside and outside of...

WATCH: OC Superintendent reflects on civic responsibility, unity in Election Day message

Ian Hanigan November 5, 2024

Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean released a special Election Day message on Tuesday encouraging educators, staff and community partners to exercise their civic duty by voting. Reflecting on his personal journey to U.S. citizenship in 1980, Dr....

Weekly roundup: El Modena High celebrates success of alum Freddie Freeman, San Clemente students pledge to living drug-free, and more

Madeline Gray November 1, 2024

Before he was named MVP of the 2024 MLB World Series on Wednesday, Freddie Freeman honed his baseball skills as...