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

OCDE PAL team honors six campuses, two advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 21, 2024

Six school-based Peer Assistance Leadership programs and two advisors received surprise visits from representatives of the Orange County Department of...

Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

WATCH: Get to know these nine standout staff members during Classified School Employee Week

Ian Hanigan May 20, 2024

It’s officially Classified School Employee Week, a time for school districts throughout the county to celebrate the vital contributions of,...

Marian Bergeson Elementary School students learn Mandarin Chinese as part of the school's one-way language immersion program. (Courtesy of NBC 4 Los Angeles)

Weekly roundup: NBC highlights first-of-its-kind Mandarin Chinese immersion program in OC, and more

Madeline Gray May 17, 2024

Mandarin Chinese is often said to be one of the hardest languages to master. At Marian Bergeson Elementary in Laguna Niguel, students are learning it one lesson at a time, thanks to the school’s one-way language immersion program. NBC 4...

WATCH: OCDE advances drug and alcohol prevention efforts with youth conference

Ian Hanigan May 16, 2024

Why does the Orange County Department of Education prioritize drug and alcohol prevention? Let’s start with the fact that substances...

Arbolita Elementary School teacher Kathryn Mayfield is announced as a 2025 Orange County Teacher of the Year finalist on Thursday, May 2.

WATCH: Revisit the day OCDE announced the 2025 Orange County Teachers of the Year

Madeline Gray May 15, 2024

On the morning of May 2, six educators received a welcome surprise in their classrooms as they were named this...

Students from Panorama Elementary in the Orange Unified School District presented at the 2024 OC Civic Learning Celebration.

WATCH: Orange County youth engage and inspire at OC Civic Learning Celebration

Vicky Nguyen May 14, 2024

Last month, teams of students and educators across Orange County gathered at the OC Holocaust Education Center in Newport Beach for the annual OC Civic Learning Celebration. Organized by the Orange County Department of Education, the event aimed to promote...

College and Career Ready: As Chief Science Officers, students advocate for STEM awareness, engagement

Ian Hanigan May 13, 2024

As part of our “College and Career Ready” series, Orange County Department of Education Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes recently...

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond visits Godinez Fundamental High School for its annual "Teacher Appreciation Breakfast" on May 6. (Courtesy of the California Department of Education)

Weekly roundup: State superintendent joins Santa Ana Unified in celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, and more

Madeline Gray May 10, 2024

In the first full week of May each year, Teacher Appreciation Week is recognized nationally to express gratitude for the...

Representatives from Carpenter Training Partners connect with students and educators at the OC Pathways Showcase on Dec. 7, 2023.

Youth Apprenticeship Week: OC Pathways enhances on-the-job training for local students

Madeline Gray May 10, 2024

Wrapping up Youth Apprenticeship Week, OC Pathways has celebrated the importance of on-the-job training and in-demand skills, expanding supports for students and young adults across Orange County. From May 5 to May 11, the OCDE-led career technical education consortium and...