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The term 鈥淲illiams鈥� is commonly used to refer to several issues for which standards of service were established in a 2004 settlement to a lawsuit Williams v. State of 果冻传煤. 鈥� As a part of the settlement, 果冻传煤 created new state law (sections of Education Code) stipulating that certain levels of service must be maintained by 果冻传煤 school districts in the service of students, their parents and guardians, and the local educators. Additionally, the settlement established regular formal monitoring for 鈥淲illiams鈥� issues, and it created complaint procedures for anyone with concerns regarding compliance to the laws.
The settlement of the lawsuit in August 2004 resulted in a package of laws 鈥� known as the 鈥淲illiams legislation鈥� 鈥� ensuring that all students have the basics of a quality education. The laws created an accountability system so that:
- 鈥婣ll students have access to standards-aligned instructional materials and textbooks.
- All students have access to school facilities that are clean, safe, and functional.
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鈥�Package of Legislation Passed and Signed by the Governor
AB 599 was signed by the Governor on October 8, 2021.
Districts & Charters are included in the Williams County Reviews
The Williams list is now based off of 果冻传煤鈥檚 current accountability system, along with additional criteria:
schools identified for comprehensive support and improvement (CSI)
schools identified for additional targeted support and improvement (ATSI)
schools where 15% or more of the teachers are holders of a permit, certificate, or any other authorization that is a lesser certification than a preliminary or clear 果冻传煤 teaching credential
DASS (Dashboard Alternative School Status) Schools are not included in Williams Reviews
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From the law with references to Ed Code: The priority objective of the visits made pursuant to this paragraph shall be to determine the status of all of the following circumstances:
(i) Sufficient textbooks, as defined in Section 60119 and as specified in subdivision (i).
(ii) The condition of a facility that poses an emergency or urgent threat to the health or safety of pupils or staff, as described in school district policy or paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 17592.72.
(iii) The accuracy of data reported on the School Accountability Report Card with respect to the availability of sufficient textbooks and instructional materials, as defined by Section 60119, and the safety, cleanliness, and adequacy of school facilities, including good repair, as required by Sections 17014, 17032.5, 17070.75, and 17089.
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REQUIRED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The school must ensure that all pupils, including English learners, have sufficient textbooks and instructional materials to use in class and to take home to complete homework assignments. This does not mean two textbooks. Sufficient textbooks or instructional materials do not include photocopied sheets from only a portion of a textbook or instructional material to address shortages. Sufficient textbooks or instructional materials must meet the district鈥檚 standards for textbooks in the four core subjects of English language arts, mathematics, history/social studies and science. In addition, there must be textbooks for foreign language and health, and, in grades 9-12, science laboratory equipment.
In instances where there are insufficient textbooks, the CDE will purchase the textbooks for the district. If the CDE must purchase instructional materials for a district, the State Board shall issue a public statement indicating the district superintendent and the governing board failed to provide pupils with sufficient textbooks as required by law.
FACILITY MAINTENANCE
The school must ensure that its facilities are clean, safe and in good repair, and that all unforeseeable emergency facilities needs are being addressed. Unforeseeable emergency needs are defined as gas leaks, nonfunctioning heating/air conditioning or ventilation systems, power failures, major sewer line stoppages, pest infestations, broken windows, doors or gates that will not lock, hazardous materials abatement or unforeseen structural damage creating hazardous or uninhabitable conditions. The settlement requires all school districts to include data on these topics in the SARC.
TEACHER MISASSIGNMENTS AND VACANCIES
The county, under current law, monitors schools for teacher assignments and now must also give priority to monitoring Decile 1-3 schools and investigate district and school efforts to ensure that any credentialed teacher in an assignment requiring Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD), Bilingual CLAD (BCLAD) or SB 1969/395 training has completed the necessary requirements or is otherwise authorized by law to have that assignment. The annual report to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) shall also be submitted to the CDE, and shall include information on any classes in Decile 1-3 schools in which 20% or more of the students are English learners and the assigned teacher does not possess the credentials required by law. The CDE will prepare a report for the legislature concerning misassignments.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS OF THE SETTLEMENT
a. Ordering of Textbooks and Instructional Materials
To the extent practicable, districts shall ensure that instructional materials are ordered before the school year begins. If there is an insufficiency of materials, the board shall take action to ensure each student has sufficient textbooks or instructional materials within two months from the beginning of the school year
b. Complaint System
Districts must adopt a complaint system (or modify an existing complaint system) to include complaints regarding instructional materials, teacher misassignments/vacancies and facilities. Complaints shall be filed with the principal (or designee) of the school, and the principal shall forward certain complaints to the district superintendent (or designee). The school official shall make reasonable efforts to investigate and shall remedy problems within 30 working days. The school official shall report the resolution of the matter to the complainant within 45 working days. Complainants not satisfied may complain directly to the board at the next regular meeting. Quarterly, districts shall provide summaries of complaints and resolutions to the board and county superintendent, which shall be reported at a regular board meeting. Complaints and responses shall be public records.
A notice shall be posted in each classroom that sets forth the textbook sufficiency standard and the facility standards (clean, safe and maintained in good repair). Visit the CDE website for a copy of the Williams notice and more information on pre-Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures鈥�.
Complaint forms should be made available in school offices and the district office. Appeals are submitted directly to CA Department of Education.
c. Amendments to the School Accountability Report Card (SARC)
The SARC shall be amended to add the number of teacher misassignments and vacancies to the existing assessment of teachers. The field related to "safety, cleanliness, and adequacy of school facilities" includes information regarding emergency or urgent school facilities conditions that pose a threat to the health or safety of students. Visit the CDE website for more information on SARC.
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