Los Angeles Unified School District — the second-largest school district in the United States with over 560,000 students — is navigating a difficult budget period. Declining enrollment, the end of one-time federal pandemic relief funds (ESSER), and rising pension costs have created a structural deficit that is forcing difficult trade-offs.
LAUSD's budget proposals for 2025–26 have included reductions to supplemental academic support programs, including some after-school tutoring initiatives funded through ESSER money that is now exhausted. Programs that expanded during COVID recovery — including expanded tutoring staffing at high-need schools — are among those facing cuts. The district has emphasized it is trying to protect core classroom instruction, but enrichment and intervention programs are at higher risk.
LAUSD has committed to maintaining its expanded transitional kindergarten (TK) program, mental health counselors added post-pandemic, and core special education services. The district is also preserving funding for its Early Literacy Initiative, recognizing that 3rd-grade reading proficiency is a key predictor of long-term academic outcomes.
For families in LAUSD who have relied on free or subsidized after-school tutoring programs, the reduction in district-provided support means they may need to look at alternatives. Private tutors remain the most flexible option — many LAUSD-area tutors are credentialed teachers or graduate students who offer competitive rates and can tailor sessions to district curriculum standards.
If your child attended an LAUSD school that had a tutoring program reduced or eliminated, connecting directly with an independent tutor is a practical next step. catutors.com lists verified tutors across the LA metro area — all contacts are free and direct.
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