OCDE Education in the News

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

OCDE NEWSROOM

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

The Orange County Department of Education’s Special Education Services division, home to the Connections program, has been honored with the 2023-24 Grazer Outstanding Achievement in Learning Award for its commitment to equipping students with essential skills for employment and societal contribution.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/ocdes-connections-program-earns-grazer-outstanding-achievement-in-learning-award/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Meet Stefan Bean, Orange County’s newest superintendent

Orange County’s newest superintendent is someone who has prioritized alternative schools and promoted more parental involvement throughout his career. Stefan Bean, the executive director of the Irvine International Academy, a Mandarin language immersion charter school, was recently chosen by the Orange County Board of Education to replace longtime Superintendent Al Mijares.

https://www.ocregister.com/2024/06/25/meet-stefan-bean-orange-countys-newest-superintendent/

USA TODAY

Federal judges block part of President Biden’s student loan repayment plan

Two federal judges in Kansas and Missouri on Monday at the urging of several Republican-led states blocked the Biden administration from further implementing a new student debt relief plan that lowers payments.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/06/25/president-joe-biden-student-loan-relief-plan-judges/74201806007/

EDSOURCE

Gimmicky budget deal spares California schools, community colleges

True to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s promise, the 2024-25 budget compromise that the Legislature announced Saturday and will pass this week will spare TK-12 and community colleges from cuts that other state operations will bear.

https://edsource.org/2024/gov-newsoms-twists-and-tricks-to-spare-cuts-to-schools-and-community-colleges-in-state-budget/714604

FCMAT

Graduation rates plunge at some East Side schools

Going to school is something a lot of kids dread. Despite knowing how important it is, sometimes life gets in the way and missing school can be a necessity. What happens when kids take that to the extreme?

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/06/24/graduation-rates-plunge-at-some-east-side-schools/

Modesto City Schools reveals conceptual ideas for renovations. What is your campus getting?

When high school students in Modesto return in August, they may find solar panels shading their parking lots, some may notice more fencing around their campus, while others might find themselves in temporary classrooms as extensive construction commences.

https://www.modbee.com/news/local/education/article289464364.html#storylink=cpy

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

Bay Area teens lean on AI for mental health support

High school student Amrita Venkatesh remembers the night she spent panicking in her room, stressing about college admissions and the fate of her education. As she frantically looked over her transcript and spiraled into a tunnel of doubt, she turned to ChatGPT, her most convenient source of support. When she typed in her worries and fears, the program responded with just the consolation she was looking for: a reminder to calm down. It offered some college application advice.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/06/24/teens-lean-on-ai-for-mental-health-support/

Bay Area schools look to tackle fentanyl crisis head on

Facing a fentanyl overdose crisis among teens, Bay Area high schools and nonprofits are finding ways to both save them from overdosing and prevent substance abuse by giving out medicine and changing their approach to drug education.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/06/24/bay-area-schools-look-to-tackle-fentanyl-crisis-head-on/

Fullerton-raised students Jade and Zoey Bahng host Sunbae Cafe, an opportunity for the community to casually learn about college from current college students

Fullerton sisters Jade and Zoey Bahng hosted a pop-up cafe event, Sunbae Cafe, for visitors to ask college students of diverse backgrounds questions to help them navigate the maze of college research on Sunday, June 9, at Seesaw Beans and Coffee in Buena Park. Sunbae, mentioned in the event’s title, is Korean for an older friend and mentor who has walked the path before you at school or work. The sisters are extremely community-driven, and Sunbae Cafe truly showcases their passion for community and their relationship as sisters. The event mirrors the dynamic of two siblings, one in college and the other in high school.

https://bit.ly/3VESKvh

Fullerton College Joins Forces with Groundbreaking Black Honors College

Fullerton College has partnered with Sacramento State University’s new Black Honors College (BHC) to create seamless pathways for community college students.

https://fullertonobserver.com/2024/06/25/fullerton-college-joins-forces-with-groundbreaking-black-honors-college/

Lawsuit challenges new Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display the Ten Commandments

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block Louisiana’s new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, a measure they contend is unconstitutional.

https://apnews.com/article/louisiana-ten-commandments-lawsuit-school-classroom-cd2f0013cbbbbec9fde913f7cfb262c5

Oklahoma Supreme Court rules publicly funded religious charter school is unconstitutional

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma board’s approval of what would be the nation’s first publicly funded religious school is unconstitutional and must be rescinded, the state Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.

https://apnews.com/article/public-religious-catholic-charter-school-unconstitutional-oklahoma-e4ef414605094313331a39cc645ede8a

Nonprofit's film contest highlights youth perspectives on mental health, suicide prevention

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The prevalence of mental health issues in young people is hard to measure, but research has shown nearly half of high schoolers feel persistently sad or hopeless. Youth Creating Change believes young people sharing stories about mental health is a way to offer encouragement and connection. The group's signature program, the Directing Change Film contest, recently honored student-created films expressing the filmmakers' perspectives on mental health and suicide prevention.

https://abc7.com/post/youth-creating-change-honors-student-created-films-offering/14892328/

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