Posts tagged special education
A California school district is having its first teachers strike in 150 years
April 17, 2026 // Vasquez said that in the last few years the district has spent more than the revenue it had received, and used reserve funds to continue to subsidize benefits and students services.
LAUSD teachers union says it will go on strike April 14 if no contract is reached
March 19, 2026 // The district has offered about an 8% raise plus a bonus. The district says it's also proposed reducing class sizes but warns the cost of a larger deal could strain its budget long-term. Teachers have been working without a contract since last year. Even though they just reached a new deal less than three years ago, the 30,000-plus members of the teachers union say it's not enough.
Oakland Schools, Teachers Union Reach Deal, Avert Strike
March 1, 2026 // Last summer, it just regained local control after 20 years in state receivership. Without factoring in the price of the new deal, OUSD is eyeing $102 million in cuts by June. Interim Superintendent Denise Saddler told the school board this week that without those reductions, “we won’t be able to pay all the people on our payroll in the fall. We don’t have the money in the budget for next year.” On Wednesday, OUSD approved cutting nearly 400 staff positions, including 180 filled by OEA members, through early retirement buyouts, elimination of vacant positions, and layoffs. Altogether, that is estimated to save about $11 million annually
Aurora School Board Approves Union for Support Staffers
February 19, 2026 // Since August, dozens of classified employees at APS have been wearing red shirts and rallying at the board of education meetings whenever their potential union popped up on the agenda, which happened in August, October, January and finally this month. Classified employees have said that they need a union for better pay and benefits as the cost of living rises, as well as protection from retaliation when they speak out, better retention of long-time classified staff and better training for their replacements. According to APS estimates, the district has about 1,800 classified employees.
Lawmakers join Chicago Teachers Union to push for more school funding
February 12, 2026 // State lawmakers have introduced legislation backed by the Chicago Teachers Union to immediately increase evidence-based funding and additional public school services. Republicans say Illinois' taxes already are too high. State Sen. Graciela Guzmán, D-Chicago, is a former CTU organizer.
Educators push for improved special education staffing in San Diego schools
January 11, 2026 // Representing 6,000 SDUSD educators, the San Diego Education Association (SDEA) voted to go on strike on Feb. 26. Educators said special education classes are severely understaffed, alleging an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge. SDUSD schools will be closed on Feb. 26. for student safety and supervision, according to the district. “Closing schools for one day will ensure that students are not placed in situations where adequate supervision, instructional continuity, and campus safety cannot be reliably maintained,” SDUSD Superintendent Fabi Bagula shared in a statement.
Teachers in West Contra Costa Unified go on strike
December 6, 2025 // The teachers are expected to picket outside dozens of schools located in El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo. The union and school district are at impasse after 10 months of negotiations for a new contract. The teachers union authorized the strike Monday. It seeks a 10% pay raise over the next two years, better health care and smaller class sizes. The district is offering a 3% raise and increased health benefits.
Minneapolis Public Schools, educators reach tentative contract agreement, avoid strike
November 10, 2025 // It was announced late Saturday night that the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFE) reached a tentative contract agreement with Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), averting a strike scheduled to start Tuesday.
Minneapolis teachers to vote on strike
October 22, 2025 // Tuesday’s meeting marked the seventh bargaining session since April. A strike authorization vote begins tomorrow(Thursday). If approved by union members, a walkout could begin as early as November.
Commentary: Teachers Union Head Mystified by Increase in Homeschooling
November 19, 2023 // Parents started seeking accountability on their own terms, at home. The surge in homeschooling during the 2020 school year has not dropped off, attracting enthusiasts from diverse racial and income backgrounds. While there are many reasons for the shift, a significant factor is leaders like Weingarten left a vacuum parents had to fill. When they did, parents learned they could do it without the leaders who left them in the lurch. Their kids' education could be flexible and tailored, without the constraint of having to sit at a desk between four walls for seven hours a day. Parents learned they had the power to fix some of the problems the pandemic posed.