Upcoming Events

Orange County Social Science Administrator Network (OCSSA) When: Below are 6 dates 2026 - September 17, October 15, & November 19 2027 - January 21, March 18, & April 22 Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Location: Orange County Department of Education Cost: Free Register here - website Download flyer here - pdf The Mendez Tribute Monument Park Field Trip When: October 2026 thru April 2027 Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Location: Mendez Tribute Monument Park Cost: Free Register here (to follow) Download flyer here - pdf (to follow) The Acjachemen/ Juaneno History and Cultural Tour for Educators When: October 17, 2026 Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Location: 30291 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675 Cost: Free Register here - website Download flyer here - pdf	The OCSSA Network serves as a collaborative space for Orange County district leaders, principals, teacher leaders, and instructional coaches to explore innovative approaches to History–Social Science education and the framework. Participants will have the opportunity to learn updates from the state, share best practices, and receive research-based approaches to education. Network meetings will feature topics including, but not limited to: Personal Finance- planning and implementing the new AB2927 graduation requirement Elementary and Secondary Literacy Blocks Civic learning and the State Seal of Civic Engagement Professional learning and resource sharing to support educators and improve student outcomes across Orange County Instructional best practices During field trips students will experience The Mendez Historic Freedom Trail and Monument to learn about the 1946 Mendez, et. al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County, et. al. case. The experience includes interactive panels and activities for students with an electronic device. The site is wifi enabled. Educators will be provided with lessons and activities to implement before and after trips. A law professional will be available to answer questions about the case. ABOTA will reimburse up to $500 for one bus rental per trip. During this tour, educators will explore the history and culture of Acjachemen families, commonly known as the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. Acjachemen community leaders will present at the Village at Putuidem, the Montanez Adobe, Los Rios, and the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Tribal office. They will also help participants consider ways to center authentic stories of the Acjachemen in the K-12 classroom. A lunch will be included as part of the tour.
2026 Teachers Law School When: October 6, 2026 Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Location: Orange County Superior Court - C6 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Cost: Free Register here - website Download flyer here - pdf	ABOTA’s Teachers Law School is designed for educators with an interest in lawrelated education. Sessions provide teachers with valuable content directly from legal professionals. Join us for in-depth content sessions as we visit the Orange County Superior Court and the Old Courthouse. This year’s content will feature presentations on criminal law. Judges from the OC courts will share content, and OCDE will share teacher resources for students in grades 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12. Lunch will be provided.
OC Civic Learning Institute When: TBD Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: Orange County Department of Education Cost: $150 Register here - website Download flyer here - pdf Civic Learning Pathways Celebration (K-8) When: 2027 TBD Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Location: Orange County Department of Education 200 Kalmus Drive, Conference Center Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Cost: Free Register here - website (to follow) Download flyer here - pdf (to follow) Student Projects Form here (to follow)	During the OC Civic Learning Institute, school teams of educators will broaden their understanding of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need to become civic-ready. Participants will learn how to support classroom relationships and social awareness. Participants will synthesize structures to encourage academic conversations. Participants will develop a civic engagement project for their classroom or school. By the series' conclusion, school teams will be equipped to pursue California Democracy School status and apply for Civic Learning Awards. Participants will be able to develop student activities to support the State Seal of Civic Engagement, including pathways for elementary and middle school students. Participants who share their civic learning project plan will receive an OC Civic Learning Institute Certificate. K-12 Orange County educators, students, and their families are invited to participate in the Civic Learning Pathways Celebration. At the event, students will be asked to share their civic engagement projects. The Orange County Department of Education, partnering with Los Angeles County Office of Education, will recognize students receiving the Civic Learning Pathway certificate as well as schools that have earned Civic Learning Awards. This is a FREE event.

Orange County Social Science Administrator Network (OCSSA)

When: Below are 6 dates

2026 - September 17, October 15, &

November 19

2027 - January 21, March 18, & April 22

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Orange County Department of Education

Cost: Free

Download flyer here - pdf

The Mendez Tribute Monument Park Field Trip

When: October 2026 thru April 2027

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Location: Mendez Tribute Monument Park

Cost: Free

Download flyer here - pdf (to follow)

The Acjachemen/ Juaneno History and Cultural Tour

for Educators

When: October 17, 2026

Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: 30291 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Cost: Free

Download flyer here - pdf

The OCSSA Network serves as a collaborative space for Orange County district leaders, principals, teacher leaders, and instructional coaches to explore innovative approaches to History–Social Science education and the framework. Participants will have the opportunity to learn updates from the state, share best practices, and receive research-based approaches to education.

Network meetings will feature topics including, but not limited to:

Personal Finance- planning and implementing the new AB2927 graduation requirement
Elementary and Secondary Literacy Blocks
Civic learning and the State Seal of Civic Engagement
Professional learning and resource sharing to support educators and improve student outcomes across Orange County
Instructional best practices

During field trips students will experience The Mendez Historic Freedom Trail and Monument to learn about the 1946 Mendez, et. al. v. Westminster School District of Orange County, et. al. case. The experience includes interactive panels and activities for students with an electronic device. The site is wifi enabled. Educators will be provided with lessons and activities to implement

before and after trips. A law professional will be available to answer questions about the case.

ABOTA will reimburse up to $500 for one bus rental per trip.

During this tour, educators will explore the history and culture of Acjachemen families, commonly known as the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians. Acjachemen community leaders will present at the Village at Putuidem, the Montanez Adobe, Los Rios, and the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians Tribal office. They will also help participants consider ways to center authentic stories of the Acjachemen in the K-12 classroom. A lunch will be included as part of the tour.

2026 Teachers Law School

When: October 6, 2026

Time:  8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Location:  Orange County Superior Court - C6
700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Cost:  Free

Register here - website

Download flyer here - pdf

ABOTA’s Teachers Law School is designed for educators with an interest in lawrelated

education. Sessions provide teachers with valuable content directly from legal

professionals. Join us for in-depth content sessions as we visit the Orange County

Superior Court and the Old Courthouse. This year’s content will feature presentations

on criminal law. Judges from the OC courts will share content, and OCDE will share

teacher resources for students in grades 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12. Lunch will be provided.

OC Civic Learning Institute

When: TBD

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Location: Orange County Department of Education

Cost: $150

Register here - website

Download flyer here - pdf

Civic Learning Pathways Celebration (K-8)

When: 2027 TBD

Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Orange County Department of Education 200 Kalmus Drive, Conference Center
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Cost: Free

During the OC Civic Learning Institute, school teams of educators will broaden their

understanding of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions students need to become civic-ready.

Participants will learn how to support classroom relationships and social awareness.
Participants will synthesize structures to encourage academic conversations.
Participants will develop a civic engagement project for their classroom or school.

By the series' conclusion, school teams will be equipped to pursue California Democracy School status and apply for Civic Learning Awards. Participants will be able to develop student activities to support the State Seal of Civic Engagement, including pathways for elementary and middle school students.

Participants who share their civic learning project plan will receive an OC Civic Learning Institute Certificate.

K-12 Orange County educators, students, and their families are invited to participate in the
Civic Learning Pathways Celebration. At the event, students will be asked to share their civic engagement projects. The Orange County Department of Education, partnering with Los Angeles County Office of Education, will recognize students receiving the Civic Learning Pathway certificate as well as schools that have earned Civic Learning Awards. This is a FREE event.

Upcoming Events

If you would like to be added to our contact list for news and updates, please e-mail your request to josemochoa@ocde.us​

If you would like to be added to our contact list for news and updates, please e-mail your request to josemochoa@ocde.us