Williams Act
The Williams Act ensures that every California student learns in a classroom with proper textbooks, qualified teachers, and safe school facilities. The term "Williams" comes from a legal agreement made in 2004 that applies to California schools. This agreement resulted in new laws to ensure that schools provide a certain level of service to students, parents, guardians, and educators. It also set up checks on these "Williams" issues and a way for people to raise concerns if they think the laws aren't being followed.
The Williams settlement, finalized in 2004, established that all California public school students are entitled to 1) Sufficient instructional materials, 2) Safe and clean school facilities, and 3) Qualified teachers. Education Code (EC) Section 1240 was put in place to support the goals of the Williams settlement.Due to the Williams Act Settlement, all districts must complete the requirements listed below. Those districts that have been identified for CSI and ATSI assistance or with more than 15% misassigned teachers must be formally reviewed by the county office of education to ensure compliance with each of the requirements. This review includes a site visit within the first four weeks of the start of school, with a county report developed by October.
The following are the key items that are reviewed, along with supporting documents.
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Williams Visit Form - High School
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Williams Visit Form - Elementary/Middle School
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Curriculum Verification Form
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School District Checklist
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District Notification Letter
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County Response Letter to Districts
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School Accountability Report Card
Published by February 28 on your website with information from the previous school year. |
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Facilities Inspection Tool
Results published in your February SARC. Must be completed for each school site each year. Recommended to be completed in November or December for inclusion in the annual SARC.
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Uniform Complaint Procedures
Must be reviewed at the start of each school year. Required to be posted on the district/school website and shared with SSC, DELAC, Parent Advisory, etc.
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[CSBA Policies]
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Appropriately Credentialed Teachers
Typically from the prior year as reported by CALPADS and CALSAAS.
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CalSAAS Site |
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Classroom Williams Notification
This notice to be posted in each classroom.
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Template |
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Instructional Materials
All students must have access to standards-aligned curriculum. The hearing notice and Board resolution must be completed by September each school year, with the public hearing notice posted 10 days prior to the Board meeting and in three locations within the district.
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[Sufficiency Assurances Form]
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Quarterly Reports on Complaints
Quartly reports must be completed on the dates listed and submitted to Abbi Tirri at the county office of education.
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Quarterly Report Form |
