OCDE Newsroom

Orange County Youth Council students launch Season 2 of ‘Keep in Mind’ podcast

Nathaniel Martinez May 28, 2026

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

Super Quiz Relay portion of the Orange County Academic Decathlon

It’s academic event season, and here are some important dates to know

Ian Hanigan January 10, 2024

As the calendar flips to a brand new year, we’re ready to dive back into the heart of the academic...

College and Career Ready: Sophomore Ryan Honary pursues AI-powered solution to wildfires

Staff reports January 9, 2024

Meet Ryan Honary, a sophomore at Newport Harbor High School. He’s created a company dedicated to early wildfire detection using...

Weekly roundup: Local teachers are among OC Register’s 125 most influential, students spread acts of kindness, and more

Madeline Gray January 5, 2024

Two impactful OC educators and four student leaders were hand-picked for the Orange County Register’s 125 most influential people list of 2023. The OC Register annually selects distinguished figures, community members and others who have made a difference, highlighting their...

OCDE Substitute Teacher Recruitment Fair

OCDE to host its next substitute teacher recruitment event on Thursday, Feb. 1

Vicky Nguyen January 4, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education is hosting a substitute teacher recruitment event with free fingerprinting services and permit processing...

Marina High School students claimed their title as three-time champions in the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s canned food drive competition with more than 12,600 items.

#kindness1billion: OC students’ acts of generosity brighten holidays for families

Vicky Nguyen January 3, 2024

In the weeks leading up to the holiday break, students, schools and districts across Orange County proved that no kind...

2023 in Review: A look back at some of the OCDE Newsroom’s most notable stories

Staff reports December 29, 2023

With 2023 coming to a close, the OCDE Newsroom looks back on a year filled with innovative educational practices and student-led projects focused on uplifting their campuses and communities. From January through December, the Orange County Department of Education celebrated...

Two high school students from Orange County were selected to be part of the inaugural California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program cohort.

Weekly roundup: Two Orange County students advocate for climate policy, OC Pathways shines light on career education, and more

Vicky Nguyen December 22, 2023

Two high schoolers from Orange County earned their place in the inaugural California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program, following a...

Student members from the Environmental Science, Alliance for Sustainability and STEM Scholars clubs gathered in November to collect trash on campus and a nearby parking lot.