UTLA members fought for and won a contract last year that brought significant improvements for Special Education. Now we need to enforce the contract to fulfill the promise of better learning and working conditions for Special Education students and teachers.

Under the 2025-2027 MOU on Inclusive Practices within the Least Restrictive Environment, 80/80 inclusion schools should have: 

• 20:1 ratio for RSTs
• A paraprofessional for all RSTs

If you are an RST at an 80/80 school and you do not have a 20:1 ratio and/or a paraprofessional, use this template language to request an informal conference as part of the grievance process.

TEMPLATE LANGUAGE FOR RATIO OVERAGES

If your RST ratio is over 20:1 at an 80/80 school, use this language to request via email (cc your Chapter Chair) for an informal conference with your admin:
Pursuant to the UTLA-LAUSD Bargaining Agreement Article V, Sections 7.0a and 7.0b, I am requesting an informal conference with you to discuss a potential violation of the 2025-2027 MOU on Inclusive Practices within the Least Restrictive Environment. My caseload is currently over the 20:1 ratio for RSTs established by the MOU for identified 80/80 schools. The informal conference must occur within five (5) workdays from this written request.

If your RST ratio is over 20:1 at an 80/80 school, your Chapter Chair can read this in the informal conference:
The 2025-2027 MOU on Inclusive Practices within the Least Restrictive Environment is currently being violated. [MEMBER’S NAME] caseload is currently over the 20:1 ratio for RSTs established by the MOU for identified 80/80 schools. It is currently at [CURRENT RATIO]. The requested remedy is to have the caseload be at 20:1.

TEMPLATE LANGUAGE FOR NO PARAPROFESSIONAL

If you are an RST and do not have a paraprofessional at an 80/80 school, use this language to request via email (cc your Chapter Chair) an informal conference with admin:
Pursuant to the UTLA-LAUSD Bargaining Agreement Article V, Sections 7.0a and 7.0b, I am requesting an informal conference with you to discuss a potential violation of the 2025-2027 MOU on Inclusive Practices within the Least Restrictive Environment. I currently do not have a paraprofessional as required by the MOU. The informal conference must occur within five (5) workdays from this written request.

If you are an RST and do not have a paraprofessional at an 80/80 school, your Chapter Chair can read this in the informal conference:
The 2025-2027 MOU on Inclusive Practices within the Least Restrictive Environment is currently being violated. [MEMBER’S NAME] currently does not have a paraprofessional as required by the MOU. The remedy being requested is the immediate assignment of a paraprofessional in accordance with the contract.