LAUSD and Teachers Union Reach Tentative Agreement

Deal includes pay raises, expanded student support staff, and new benefits for teachers

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:08am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration of a stack of textbooks repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the celebratory energy of a new education labor agreement.The new LAUSD-UTLA agreement aims to elevate the teaching profession and improve student support through increased funding and staffing.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Unified School District and United Teachers Los Angeles have reached a tentative two-year contract agreement that includes salary increases, expanded student support staffing, and new benefits for teachers. The agreement still needs to be ratified by union members.

Why it matters

This tentative agreement aims to address long-standing issues around teacher pay, student support services, and working conditions in the LAUSD system, which has faced challenges with staffing shortages and strained resources. The outcome of the ratification vote will impact thousands of teachers and students across the district.

The details

The tentative agreement includes an average salary increase of about 13.86%, with a minimum increase of 8%. It would also create over 450 new positions for counselors, social workers, and school psychologists. In special education, the contract establishes a 20-to-1 staffing ratio for certain teachers and stronger enforcement of class size limits. Other provisions include four weeks of parental leave, reduced class sizes in 11th and 12th grades, and protections related to subcontracting and the use of artificial intelligence.

  • The tentative agreement covers a two-year period retroactive to July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
  • The previous contract expired on June 30, 2025, so the new deal is already underway.

The players

Los Angeles Unified School District

The second-largest school district in California, serving over 600,000 students.

United Teachers Los Angeles

The labor union representing teachers and other certificated staff in the LAUSD system.

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What they’re saying

“The agreement would result in an average salary increase of about 13.86%, with a minimum increase of 8%.”

— UTLA leaders

“The agreement increases salary scales by 11.65%.”

— District officials

What’s next

UTLA members will receive details of the tentative agreement in the coming days and then hold a ratification vote. Additional details are expected to be released as the process moves forward.

The takeaway

This tentative agreement represents a significant step forward in addressing longstanding issues around teacher pay, student support services, and working conditions in the LAUSD system. If ratified, it could help the district attract and retain teachers while improving the educational experience for students.