The Williams Act is a simple settlement that states all children, regardless of where they go to school, should have a safe and clean school, a credentialed teacher, and sufficient learning materials. It is a very narrow settlement created for a specific reason. To learn more about it visit https://decentschools.org/ .
Here are some examples of situations that could be the basis for a Williams Complaint in California schools:
- Instructional Materials
- A student has to share a math textbook with another student because there aren’t enough copies for the whole class.
- The only available science books are outdated and don’t align with current state standards.
- English learners do not have access to materials in a language they can understand for core subjects.
- Facilities
- Classrooms have broken heating or air conditioning for weeks, making them unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Bathrooms are regularly locked, unsanitary, or lack soap, toilet paper, or running water.
- Ceiling tiles are falling, mold is present, or there are exposed electrical wires.
- Teacher Assignments
- A class is being taught for months by a substitute without the proper subject credential.
- A teacher is assigned to teach a subject outside their credentialed area (e.g., a PE teacher teaching Algebra).
- Special education students are placed in general education classes without the required supports because there is no qualified teacher available.
Natomas Teachers' Association 