Catherwood LibraryILR School

Los Angeles’ public school teachers are planning a walk out on Thursday, following months of unsuccessful union negotiations. The LA public school system employs approximately 30,000 teachers and serves over 600,000 students. California spends much less money per student than other states, despite having such a large population (82%) of students coming from low-income households. A lack of school funding has led to large class sizes (45 students in some schools), an inadequate number of support staff, and relatively low wages for teachers. Low funding makes it difficult for teachers to provide for their students’ needs, and many have noted that it is low-income students who suffer the most when public school funding is cut. The impending strike in LA appears to be part of a larger teachers’ movement taking place in the United States.