In May 2000 the ACLU and other public interest law firms and organizations filed a lawsuit alleging that the state of California lacked equal access to instructional materials and basic resources; provided inadequate instruction; and had massive overcrowding and inadequate, unsafe and unhealthy facilities. A settlement was reached in August 2004 resulting in several pieces of legislation requiring immediate implementation. Many of the new requirements apply to low performing schools, and some apply to all school districts and schools.
The Williams Settlement requires school districts to submit quarterly reports to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) on complaints each district has received related to instructional materials, emergency facilities issues, and teacher vacancies and misassignments.