Ensuring CA Schools Have Basic Educational Necessities
Overview
On May 17, 2000 a class action lawsuit was brought against the State of California, the California Department of Education, the California Board of Education, and the California Superintendent of Public Instruction alleging that a substantial number of students attended substandard schools that lacked basic educational necessities: adequate instructional materials, trained teachers, and classrooms in good repair. On August 23,2004, a settlement was announced stating:
- All students must have instructional materials in each core subject.
- Teachers must be qualified to teach assigned subject matter.
- School facilities are clean and safe.
The legislation implementing the Williams Settlement requires that every school district provide a uniform complaint process for complaints regarding insufficient instructional materials, teacher vacancies and mis-assignments, and unsafe or unhealthy facility concerns.
Complaints are filed with your school principal, who must investigate and fix the problem within 30 working days or forward the complaint to the school district if he/she cannot fix it. The district must then provide a solution within 30 working days of receiving the complaint.
Forms
Below you will find 1) Williams Uniform Complaint Form and 2) Williams Settlement 'Know Your Rights' Brochure.
