Dear Los Angeles Unified Family,
Happy New Year, and welcome to the start of the second semester. I hope your winter break provided rest, connection, and time with loved ones.
As we begin 2026, I remain deeply honored to serve alongside the most dedicated educators, staff, and leaders in the nation to deliver a world-class education to the children of Los Angeles. This past semester reaffirmed what we already know: Los Angeles Unified is a district on the rise. From academic gains to robotics championships, arts showcases, athletic victories, and extraordinary examples of service, our schools continue to demonstrate what is possible when a community invests in its children.
Despite the challenges the Los Angeles community faced in 2025 with the wildfires and increased immigration enforcement, we’re entering 2026 with undeniable academic momentum, fueled by historic gains across every major measure of student learning. Districtwide, students are improving at twice the rate of the state average, with every student group outpacing their peers statewide. Achievement levels in English Language Arts, Math, and Science are the highest ever recorded. These gains are not only stronger than last year; they exceed pre-pandemic performance across all subjects, grade levels, and student groups.
This progress reflects the work happening across the entire district to support student learning. By using a consistent, high-quality curriculum, regularly reviewing student data, and providing targeted support where it’s needed, we are making intentional choices that keep students on track. Investments in strong teaching, meaningful professional development, and focused intervention are helping students grow, thrive, and show what’s possible in Los Angeles Unified.
The District deeply values the educators, school employees, and professionals who serve our students every day. Los Angeles Unified remains fully committed to bargaining in good faith, and we remain optimistic that ongoing dialogue will result in agreements that honor our employees while preserving the stability of the District. Over the past several months, we have adjusted our proposals to address concerns raised by our labor partners.
Every proposal we make is grounded in our responsibility to center students’ education, safety, and wellbeing. Our bargaining priorities reflect continued investments in current school staffing, learning conditions, student achievement, and community support systems while ensuring our schools remain strong for generations to come.
As enrollment continues to decline, costs have risen sharply. The District is now spending more than it brings in. If that trend continues, all available reserves will be exhausted within two years, placing the District at risk of fiscal solvency. We have a legal and ethical obligation to reduce deficit spending, slow the draw down of reserves, and safeguard our long-term financial health. These negotiations and budget decisions are about protecting the promise of public education in Los Angeles. Every student, in every community, deserves access to excellent schools powered by valued professionals and supported by responsible financial planning.
As we head into the New Year, we all deserve to be proud of the progress we have made as we face the challenges before us.
To our students: we believe in your brilliance and potential. Keep showing up ready to learn.
To our families: thank you for your steadfast partnership and support.
And to our colleagues: your dedication is the backbone of this District as we continue delivering a world-class education that prepares students to succeed, lead, and dream without limits.
May the success of the Fall semester accelerate us into the Spring. We’ve shown what we are capable of, and we are just getting started.
Wishing you a strong, joyful, and inspiring second semester.
Sincerely,
Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent