Q&A with Orange County Superintendent of Schools Stefan Bean
Parenting OC: What have you learned about the OC educational landscape since becoming superintendent?
Stefan Bean: Since stepping into this role, I’ve really been inspired by the dedication I see at every level — from teachers and classified staff to superintendents, board members and of course our families. Everyone is united by the same goal: helping students succeed.
The key for our organization is harnessing that collective dedication by working together and providing the right resources while ensuring access and opportunity. When we collaborate around this shared purpose, we’re able to innovate, tackle challenges and build a brighter future for education here in Orange County.
POC: What role is AI playing in your vision for the future of local education?
SB: Artificial intelligence is foundational to our vision for the future of education, and in fact it is a key piece of our 5-3-1 Strategic Plan.
We see AI as a transformative tool that has the potential to enhance processes and learning experiences, making education more interactive, personalized and effective. This starts with empowering educators. Through professional development and AI fluency programs, we’re looking to equip teachers with the tools they need to make their work more efficient and targeted. At the same time, we’re interested in creating collaborative spaces where students and educators can explore AI’s potential together.
Our vision also includes ensuring equitable access and ethical use of AI. By 2025, we hope that 90 percent of our districts will have adopted ethical AI guidelines, and we are working to make sure every school has the resources needed to benefit from this technology.
POC: Is mental health still an issue the Orange County Department of Education is actively addressing? What are some recent developments in this area?
SB: Absolutely. Mental health remains a top priority for our schools, our families and our partners, and we’re always working to refine and expand programs that effectively contribute to students thriving.
Our WellSpace initiative creates calming, supervised spaces right on school campuses where students can take a break and mentally reset. In partnership with our districts, we’re continuing to open WellSpaces in middle and high schools, and we’re collaborating with local elementary schools to bring them to their campuses starting in January.
Another example we’re very proud of is our Student Advocates for Mental Health program, which empowers students to take the lead on reducing stigma and connecting their peers to mental health resources. With funding from the state, we are also working with districts across the county to expand school-based services for families seeking mental health support. The goal is to increase access for parents — and work with them to remove barriers to learning for students.
POC: What are some recent successes?
SB: There are so many success stories to celebrate in Orange County schools — I hear them every day.
Big picture, our students are performing well above state averages on state English, math and science assessments and outpacing their peers from neighboring counties. Our graduation rates have climbed to nearly 92 percent, and almost 60 percent of our graduates are meeting UC and CSU requirements — a number that continues to grow. Many students are also earning special graduation honors that reflect academic excellence.
But the successes really come to life when you visit Orange County campuses. You’ll see students fully engaged in innovative STEM projects, the arts, social sciences — you name it, and they are demonstrating extraordinary levels of leadership and creativity. These efforts not only position them for college and career success but also show how they’re already making a positive impact in their communities.
I believe Orange County is well-positioned to lead the way in preparing the next generation of thinkers and doers.
POC: What has led to these accomplishments?
SB: As I mentioned earlier, so much of the credit goes to the dedication of our families, educators at all levels, support staff and administrators who share a common goal of helping every student succeed. It’s their hard work and collaboration that make these accomplishments possible.
We’re also fortunate to have strong partnerships with industry leaders here in Orange County. Through initiatives like our own OC Pathways, these organizations share our vision and work with us to create real-world learning experiences, mentorship opportunities and other programs that prepare students for the future. It’s this combination of commitment, collaboration and innovation that’s driving the progress we’re seeing in our schools.
POC: Can you talk about the collaboration with the Student to Student program to address antisemitism and foster understanding locally?
SB: Sure. Programs like Student to Student are incredibly important, and we’re proud to uplift and celebrate them.
This particular initiative was created by the Jewish Federation of Orange County, and it brings local Jewish high school students into classrooms to share their personal stories and traditions. It’s a powerful way to foster understanding, empathy and respect for religious diversity while combating antisemitism.
We wholeheartedly support programs like this that contribute to positive campus climates and promote meaningful dialogue among students. It’s inspiring to see young people leading the way in bridging cultural divides and creating more inclusive communities.
POC: Do you feel as if OC students are closer to a sense of normalcy after the disruptions from 2020 and the pandemic? Or is it still an ongoing process?
SB: It’s a good question. I think we’re seeing promising data, but we’ve still got work to do and can’t afford to let up or take our foot off the gas. We need to continue finding ways to engage every learner so they can connect with something they love at school, whether it’s an activity, a team, a club or even a favorite teacher. And we are making meaningful strides, but this moment isn’t about returning to what was — it’s about meeting students where they are and navigating this journey together.
Communities, including ours, endured illness and disruptions during the pandemic, and now we’re in an age of unprecedented change, with advances like AI rapidly reshaping the world around us. Our focus is on leveraging the resources, innovations and lessons we’ve gained to move forward in ways that inspire and engage every student.
POC: Do you have any specific goals you’d like to achieve in local education by the end of 2025?
SB: Reflecting our 5-3-1 Strategic Plan, we are focused on leveraging the resources and expertise of OCDE and its talented staff of professional educators to support our districts and improve outcomes for all learners. Whether it’s through advancing AI ethically, addressing chronic absenteeism, or creating opportunities for students to engage in meaningful programs, our goals are centered on ensuring every student has the resources and support they need to succeed.
Looking ahead, I would just add that education is always evolving, and the most important thing we can do is to stay flexible, innovative and committed to meeting the needs of every student. That means working collaboratively with families, educators and our many community partners to create schools that inspire, engage and prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world.
By Jessica Peralta
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