The ACLU and Public Advocates Inc. have released a report on the first two years of the implementation of the Williams settlement, and it shows some favorable results.

The report takes a look at the progress made in four key areas of the state: Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, the greater Bay Area and the Central Valley, as well as examining the state as a whole.

“In only two short years of implementation, teaching and learning conditions in California’s public school classrooms have materially improved as a direct result of Williams standards and accountability systems,” the report states.

The report shows that administrators have appreciated their new ability to shine a spotlight on repair needs, which has led to an overall decline in the number of schools with deficient facilities. Administrators also reported that Williams has resulted in textbook and facility improvements, which in turn have helped them recruit and retain highly qualified teachers.

“In many cases, the results have been dramatic,” the report says. “In schools where students previously lacked sufficient textbooks to take home at night, more than half the teachers lacked full credentials, and facilities were poorly maintained, students now all receive textbooks, including books to take home; learn in fully maintained school facilities; and have markedly improved access to credentialed teachers who are properly assigned.”

Selected findings from the report include:

Textbooks and Instructional Materials

• Statewide, students received at least 24,932 new textbooks and instructional materials as a result of county office of education oversight in 2004-05. Students received 63,163 new textbooks and materials in 2005-06.
• Over half of all county offices of education reported that schools improved textbook distribution and tracking systems as a result of Williams.

School Facilities

• The average percentage of decile 1-3 schools in each county with “good repair” deficiencies or “emergency” facility needs decreased during the first two years of implementation.
• In general, administrators and teachers report that repairs on their campuses are conducted more quickly and facilities receive more attention as a result of Williams.
• The $800 million Williams Emergency Repair Program now offers grants as well as reimbursements for health and safety repairs, and the number of projects funded has increased from 149 to 2,797 in one year, helping to address the more than $803 million in “necessary repairs” documented at eligible schools by the Williams School Facilities Needs Assessments.

Teachers

• Throughout the state, students’ access to qualified and properly assigned teachers increased over the course of the first two years of Williams implementation.
• The percentage of fully credentialed teachers in decile 1-3 schools throughout the state increased from 90 percent in 2004-05 to 92 percent in 2005-06.
• In the four regions examined in this report, the percentages of fully credentialed teachers in decile 1-3 schools increased or remained constant above 90 percent. Administrators widely credited these improvements to No Child Left Behind and Williams.
• Overall, administrators and teachers reported that Williams-related improvements at their schools have assisted in both attracting and retaining qualified teachers.