A settlement (“Settlement”) has been proposed in a class action lawsuit (“Action”) against Los Angeles Unified School District (“LAUSD”) for alleged constitutional violations resulting from the distance learning policies LAUSD adopted during COVID-19 school closures. The Action was filed by several parents and/or guardians of LAUSD students who were enrolled in LAUSD during COVID-19 school closures. The Settlement requires LAUSD to implement 24 remedial measures, including (1) guaranteed access for eligible students to High Dose tutoring and other academic supports, (2) mandatory assessments, (3) mandatory teacher training, and (4) enhanced student and family engagement outreach measures. The Settlement includes multiple measures designed to ensure LAUSD’s continued compliance with the Settlement’s terms (discussed more fully in FAQ 3). Plaintiffs and Class Counsel are diligently monitoring LAUSD’s compliance with the Settlement, and any class member that believes a breach of the Settlement has occurred should contact Class Counsel (whose contact information is provided in FAQ 8).
The Court has already preliminarily approved the proposed Settlement and approved the Notice. The Court has not yet decided whether to grant final approval. Your legal rights are affected whether you act or not act. Read the Notice carefully. You will be deemed to have carefully read and understood it. At the Final Approval Hearing, the Court will decide whether to finally approve the Settlement.
El Aviso en español se puede encontrar aquí.
If you are the parent and/or guardian of a K–12 student who was enrolled with LAUSD during the 2019–20 and/or 2020–21 school years, and is currently enrolled with LAUSD (a “Class Member”), you have two basic options under the Settlement:
Do Nothing. You don’t have to do anything to participate in the proposed Settlement and be eligible for relief. As a Class Members who does not opt-out (“Participating Class Member”), though, you will give up your right to assert claims against LAUSD based upon the distance learning policies it implemented during COVID-19 pandemic school closures.
Opt-Out of the Class Settlement. You can exclude yourself from the Class Settlement (opt-out) by submitting a written Request for Exclusion or otherwise notifying the Settlement Administrator, Simpluris, in writing. If you opt-out of the Settlement, you will preserve your right to personally pursue claims against LAUSD based upon the distance learning policies it implemented during COVID-19 pandemic school closures.
Summary of Your Legal Rights and Options | |
You Don’t Have to Do Anything to Participate in the Settlement | If you do nothing, you will be a Participating Class Member. In exchange, you will give up your right to assert the claims against LAUSD that are covered by this Settlement (Released Claims). |
You Can Opt-out of the Class Settlement The Opt-out Deadline is December 24, 2025 | If you don’t want to fully participate in the proposed Settlement, you can opt-out of the Class Settlement by sending the Settlement Administrator, Simpluris, a written Request for Exclusion. Once excluded, you will be a Non-Participating Class Member. Non-Participating Class Members cannot object to any portion of the proposed Settlement, see FAQ 5. |
Participating Class Members Can Object to the Class Settlement Written Objections Must be Submitted by December 24, 2025 | All Class Members who do not opt-out (“Participating Class Members”) can object to any aspect of the proposed Settlement. The Court’s decision whether to finally approve the Settlement will take into account the number of objectors. You can object to the relief requested by Class Counsel or Plaintiffs if you think it is unreasonable, see FAQ 6. Objections should be mailed or emailed to the Settlement Administrator. In the alternative to sending a written objection, Participating Class Members may also appear in Court (or hire an attorney to appear in Court) to present verbal objections at the Final Approval Hearing. You (or your attorney) should be prepared to tell the Court what you object to, why you object, and any facts that support your objection. |
You Can Participate in the Final Approval Hearing | The Court’s Final Approval Hearing is scheduled to take place on February 18, 2026. You don’t have to attend but you do have the right to appear (or hire an attorney to appear on your behalf at your own cost) in person, by telephone, or by using the Court’s virtual appearance platform. Participating Class Members can verbally object to the Settlement at the Final Approval Hearing, see FAQ 7. |
LAUSD and UTLA cannot retaliate against you for any actions you take with respect to the proposed Settlement.
Upcoming Important Dates
Objection Deadline
12/24/2025
Opt Out Deadline
12/24/2025
Final Approval Hearing
2/18/2026