UTLA educators fought for and won new language to enforce Special Ed class size caps in the 2025-2027 UTLA-LAUSD contract (Article XXII), including contractual remedies and overage penalty pay. The district has made a form available for SDC educators to track Special Ed class size overages per classification period and submit for the penalty pay.

SDC Overage Penalty Payment Explainer

UTLA President Gloria Martinez explains how SDC educators can track class size overages using the district’s form.

Tracking Special Ed Class Size Overages 

The district sent an IOC to all schools on September 10, 2026 with a link to the form for SDC educators to track class size overages. SDC educators can now complete the form for the previous classification period and start tracking for the current period. 

The IOC has the link to the new form and instructions to fill it out and submit for payment. To access the form, you must be logged into your LAUSD single sign-on. 

LAUSD’s IOC with Instructions and Link to Form

Overage Penalty Pay  

Under the new contract language (Article XXII, Section 2.1), Special Education class size overage penalty pay will be determined per classification period through the school site and no longer issued centrally on a semester basis. Special Education class size overage penalties will be paid per classification period at the following rates:  

  • Elementary schools: $500 per month for 2 students over the cap, $1,000 for 3+ students over if violation is 50% or more of the period  
  • Secondary schools: Prorated over the total number of class periods  

Remedying Special Ed Class Size Overages 

Now that Norm Day has passed, the district must also remedy SDC classes that are 2 or more over the cap (Article XXII, Section 2.0) by doing one of the following: 

  • Opening a new class 
  • Transferring students to a different class 
  • Adding a paraprofessional or classroom teacher to the class 

Reach out to your Chapter Chair for guidance to enforce this contract language.