State and Federal Programs
The Sonoma County Office of Education provides support to districts in meeting the requirements of federal and state accountability measures, and legal settlements related to public education.
Legislation & Legal Settlements
Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA)
QEIA was signed into statute in 2006 under Senate Bill 1133. The purpose of the legislation was to improve student academic success in California’s lowest performing schools by creating substantially improved conditions for teaching and learning. Improved conditions include smaller class sizes, improved high school counseling ratios, professional development for teachers, clean and safe schools that are conducive to learning, experienced and well-trained teachers and administrators, instructional materials for each student, and a single integrated school plan. The bill provided funding in 2007-08 and for the subsequent six years for this program. The funding is allocated to 500 eligible schools, including two in Sonoma County.
Williams Settlement
In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger reached settlement on a lawsuit alleging that the state failed to provide public school students with equal access to sufficient textbooks, decent school facilities, and qualified teachers. Legislation that codified the settlement created new standards for textbook sufficiency, good repair of facilities and teacher assignment for all California schools. The settlement also required county superintendents, as the monitoring agents, to ensure that these new standards were implemented. Williams forms for Sonoma County schools.
Valenzuela Settlement
Assembly Bill 347 was an urgency statute that took effect on October 12, 2007 as a result of the Valenzuela case, a class action lawsuit. The bill requires school districts and county offices of education to offer students intensive instruction and services for up to two additional years if they have not passed one or both parts of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) by the end of twelfth grade.
