Williams Act

The Williams Act, also known as the Williams Settlement Legislation, is a package of five bills passed by California state legislators in 2004 to implement the terms of a 2000 class action lawsuit. The lawsuit, Eliezer Williams, et al., vs. State of California, et al., was filed by the ACLU on behalf of nearly 100 San Francisco County students. The suit alleged that the state and its education agencies, including the California Department of Education (CDE), were failing to provide public school students with equal access to basic educational resources and facilities. The lawsuit highlighted the unequal conditions in California schools, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color, where students were not receiving adequate facilities, textbooks, and teachers. The lawsuit argued that the state's failure to provide these necessities violated the state constitution and federal requirements. 

A Williams Complaint allows a student, family, teacher, or any member of the public, to file grievances regarding:

• Insufficient textbooks and instructional materials
• Teacher vacancy or misassignment
• Facility conditions

To learn more about filing a Williams Complaint: Administrative Regulation - Williams Complaint Procedures

 Williams Complaint Form  Williams Complaint Form Español