LOS ANGELES – UTLA and LAUSD reached a tentative agreement late Sunday night that meets UTLA’s top priorities of protecting the health and safety of staff and students; closing the digital divide through a “smart start” to the school year and technology support; strengthening crisis distance learning to maintain daily school routines; expanding socio-emotional support during this period of trauma; and ensuring educator discretion and flexibility in recognition of the unprecedented circumstances in which we are living.  “When LAUSD school campuses closed in March, educators, parents and students had to adapt to an emergency moment, and over just a few days. This time, it was important to think through the challenges and to incorporate feedback from that experience — using information from a parent and member surveyand feedback from members — which is reflected in this final agreement,” said UTLA Bargaining Co-Chair Arlene Inouye.

The agreement will next go to the LAUSD School Board for a vote as well as a vote of UTLA members next week. If ratified by UTLA members, the agreement will remain in force until December 31, 2020, or until students physically return to LAUSD schools for regular instruction. UTLA and LAUSD will continue bargaining the necessary conditions for a physical reopening of schools. Some key highlights of the TA: Daily live interaction. An average school day from 9 AM to 2:15 PM. The defined schedule meets the requirements of state law (SB 98).  Targeted small group instruction, as well as time to focus on social emotional needs of our students. 

Opportunities for ongoing projects, small group work and independent work. Mondays are instructional support days; student instructional days are Tuesday-Friday. Office hours where students and families can connect with teachers. From Aug 20-28, a “Smart Start” to the school year to set the stage for teaching and learning,including using instructional time for walk-through sessions on technology to be used in class and time for outreach to students and parents. The afternoons of August 17-18 shall be used for planning and preparation for the beginning of the Academic Year. The afternoon of August 19 shall be used to make initial contact with students and families to make introductions and to explain procedures. A flexible work schedule for non-classroom educators and Early Childhood Educators,  to meet the needs of students. “This agreement will be brought to life by educators, students and parents.

This MOU is not an end point — it’s a beginning,” said UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz. “We must invest more resources to create healthy and safe schools and to build on this MOU with responsiveness to feedback from educators, parents, and students.”

Source: https://www.utla.net/news/utla-and-lausd-reach-tentative-agreement