New York City teachers will receive pay raises of up to $9,500 across two school years as part of a newly reached agreement that postpones the enforcement of the state’s class size reduction mandate. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and city officials agreed to amend the existing law, granting the Department of Education additional years to meet classroom size caps.
The original 2022 legislation required most city classrooms to have no more than 20 to 25 students by next school year, with full compliance mandated by 2027-28. Under the revised timeline, the city now has until the 2029-30 school year to achieve this goal. Intermediate compliance targets call for 70% of classrooms to meet the limits by 2026-27, 80% by 2027-28, and 90% by 2028-29.
The agreement introduces a payment scheme dubbed “differential pay” for teachers working in classes that exceed the size limits due to approved waivers. These exceptions cover situations such as instructor shortages in difficult-to-fill subjects and limited classroom space. Educators in schools with waivers could earn up to $8,500 extra in the 2026-27 school year and up to $9,500 in 2027-28.
The pay increments are structured as an incentive amid the extended timeline, encouraging the city to hit compliance targets while acknowledging ongoing challenges. The UFT distributed internal communications highlighting that exemptions will be evaluated annually in November.
The revised class size law, supported by Governor Kathy Hochul, the state Legislature, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and the UFT, seeks to balance ambitious educational goals with practical constraints affecting staffing and facilities. It is expected to pass the Legislature imminently and take effect starting July 1.