Current through Reg. 50, No. 13; March 28, 2025
(a) Under the Texas Education Code (TEC),
§11.159, the State Board of Education (SBOE) shall adopt a framework for
school board development to be used in structuring continuing education for
school board members. The framework shall be posted to the Texas Education
Agency (TEA) website and shall be distributed annually by the president of each
board of trustees to all current board members and the
superintendent.
(b) The continuing
education required under the TEC, §
11.159, applies to
each member of an independent school district board of trustees. All school
board trainings and continuing education under this section shall comply with
state law.
(1) Each school board member of an
independent school district shall complete a local district orientation.
(A) The purpose of the local orientation is
to familiarize new board members with local board policies and procedures and
district goals and priorities.
(B)
A candidate for school board may complete the training up to one year before he
or she is elected or appointed. A newly elected or appointed school board
member who did not complete this training in the year preceding his or her
election or appointment must complete the training within 120 calendar days
after election or appointment.
(C)
The orientation shall be at least three hours in length.
(D) The orientation shall address local
district practices in the following, in addition to topics chosen by the local
district:
(i) curriculum and
instruction;
(ii) business and
finance operations;
(iii) district
operations;
(iv) superintendent
evaluation; and
(v) board member
roles and responsibilities.
(E) Each board member should be made aware of
the continuing education requirements of this section and those of the
following:
(i) open meetings act in Texas
Government Code, §
551.005;
(ii) public information act in Texas
Government Code, §
552.012;
and
(iii) cybersecurity in Texas
Government Code, §
2054.5191.
(F) The orientation shall be open
to any board member who chooses to attend.
(2) Each school board member of an
independent school district shall complete a basic orientation to the TEC and
relevant legal obligations.
(A) The
orientation shall have special, but not exclusive, emphasis on statutory
provisions related to governing Texas school districts.
(B) A candidate for school board may complete
the training up to one year before he or she is elected or appointed. A newly
elected or appointed school board member who did not complete this training in
the year preceding his or her election or appointment must complete the
training within 120 calendar days after election or appointment.
(C) The orientation shall be at least three
hours in length.
(D) Topics shall
include, but not be limited to, the TEC, Chapter 26 (Parental Rights and
Responsibilities), and the TEC, §
28.004 (Local School
Health Advisory Council and Health Education Instruction).
(E) The orientation shall be provided by a
regional education service center (ESC).
(F) The orientation shall be open to any
board member who chooses to attend.
(G) The continuing education may be fulfilled
through online instruction, provided that the training incorporates interactive
activities that assess learning and provide feedback to the learner and offers
an opportunity for interaction with the instructor.
(H) The ESC shall determine the clock hours
of training credit to be awarded for successful completion of an online course
and shall provide verification of completion as required in subsection (i) of
this section.
(3) After
each session of the Texas Legislature, including each regular session and
called session related to education, each school board member shall complete an
update to the basic orientation to the TEC.
(A) The update session shall be of sufficient
length to familiarize board members with major changes in statute and other
relevant legal developments related to school governance.
(B) The update shall be provided by an ESC or
a registered provider, as defined by subsection (c) of this section.
(C) A board member who has attended an ESC
basic orientation session described in paragraph (2) of this subsection that
incorporated the most recent legislative changes is not required to attend an
update.
(D) The continuing
education may be fulfilled through online instruction, provided that the
training is designed and offered by a registered provider, incorporates
interactive activities that assess learning and provide feedback to the
learner, and offers an opportunity for interaction with the
instructor.
(E) The ESC or
registered provider shall determine the clock hours of training credit to be
awarded for successful completion of an online course and shall provide
verification of completion as required in subsection (i) of this
section.
(4) The entire
board shall participate with their superintendent in a team-building session.
(A) The purpose of the team-building session
is to enhance the effectiveness of the board-superintendent team and to assess
the continuing education needs of the board-superintendent team.
(B) The session shall be held
annually.
(C) The session shall be
at least three hours in length.
(D)
The session shall include a review of the roles, rights, and responsibilities
of a local board, including its oversight relationship to administrators, as
outlined in the framework for school board development described in subsection
(a) of this section.
(E) The
assessment of needs shall be based on the framework for school board
development described in subsection (a) of this section and shall be used to
plan continuing education activities for the year for the governance leadership
team.
(F) The team-building session
shall be provided by an ESC or a registered provider as described in subsection
(c) of this section.
(G) The
superintendent's participation in team-building sessions as part of the
continuing education for board members shall represent one component of the
superintendent's ongoing professional development.
(5) In addition to the continuing education
requirements in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection, each board
member shall complete additional continuing education based on the framework
for school board development described in subsection (a) of this section.
(A) The purpose of continuing education is to
address the continuing education needs referenced in paragraph (4) of this
subsection.
(B) The continuing
education shall be completed annually.
(C) In a board member's first year of
service, he or she shall complete at least ten hours of continuing education in
fulfillment of assessed needs.
(D)
Following a board member's first year of service, he or she shall complete at
least five hours of continuing education annually in fulfillment of assessed
needs.
(E) A board president shall
complete continuing education related to leadership duties of a board president
as some portion of the annual requirement.
(F) At least 50% of the continuing education
shall be designed and delivered by persons not employed or affiliated with the
board member's local school district. No more than one hour of the required
continuing education that is delivered by the local district may utilize
self-instructional materials.
(G)
The continuing education shall be provided by an ESC or a registered provider,
as defined by subsection (c) of this section.
(H) The continuing education may be fulfilled
through online instruction, provided that the training is designed and offered
by a registered provider, incorporates interactive activities that assess
learning and provide feedback to the learner, and offers an opportunity for
interaction with the instructor.
(I) The ESC or registered provider shall
determine the clock hours of training credit to be awarded for successful
completion of an online course and shall provide verification of completion as
required in subsection (i) of this section.
(6) Each school board member shall complete
continuing education on evaluating student academic performance and setting
individual campus goals for early childhood literacy and mathematics and
college, career, and military readiness.
(A)
The purpose of the training on evaluating student academic performance is to
provide research-based information to board members that is designed to support
the oversight role of the board of trustees outlined in the TEC, §
11.1515.
(B) The purpose of the continuing education
on setting individual campus goals for early childhood literacy and mathematics
and college, career, and military readiness is to facilitate boards meeting the
requirements of TEC, §
11.185 and §
11.186.
(C) A candidate for school board may complete
the training up to one year before he or she is elected or appointed. A newly
elected or appointed school board member who did not complete this training in
the year preceding his or her election or appointment must complete the
training within 120 calendar days after election or appointment.
(D) The continuing education shall be
completed every two years.
(E) The
training shall be at least three hours in length.
(F) The continuing education required by this
subsection shall include, at a minimum:
(i)
instruction in school board behaviors correlated with improved student outcomes
with emphasis on:
(I) setting specific,
quantifiable student outcome goals; and
(II) adopting plans to improve early literacy
and numeracy and college, career, and military readiness for applicable student
groups evaluated in the Closing the Gaps domain of the state accountability
system established under TEC, Chapter 39;
(ii) instruction in progress monitoring
practices to improve student outcomes; and
(iii) instruction in state accountability
with emphasis on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, state assessment
instruments administered under the TEC, Chapter 39, and the state
accountability system established under the TEC, Chapter 39.
(G) The continuing education shall
be provided by an authorized provider as defined by subsection (e) of this
section.
(H) If the training is
attended by an entire school board and its superintendent, includes a review of
local school district data on student achievement, and otherwise meets the
requirements of subsection (b)(4) of this section, the training may serve to
meet a school board member's obligation to complete training under subsection
(b)(4) and (6) of this section, as long as the training complies with the Texas
Open Meetings Act.
(7)
Each board member shall complete continuing education on identifying and
reporting potential victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and other
maltreatment of children in accordance with TEC, §
11.159(c)(2).
(A) A candidate for school board may complete
the training up to one year before he or she is elected or appointed. A newly
elected or appointed school board member who did not complete this training in
the year preceding his or her election or appointment must complete the
training within 120 calendar days after election or appointment.
(B) The training shall be completed every two
years.
(C) The training shall be at
least one hour in length.
(D) The
training must familiarize board members with the requirements of TEC, §
38.004 and §
38.0041, and §
103.1401 of this title (relating
to Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect, Including Trafficking of a
Child).
(E) The training required
by this subsection shall include, at a minimum:
(i) instruction in best practices of
identifying potential victims of child abuse, human trafficking, and other
maltreatment of children;
(ii)
instruction in legal requirements to report potential victims of child abuse,
human trafficking, and other maltreatment of children; and
(iii) instruction in resources and
organizations that help support victims and prevent child abuse, human
trafficking, and other maltreatment of children.
(F) The training sessions shall be provided
by a registered provider as defined by subsection (c) of this
section.
(G) This training may be
completed online, provided that the training is designed and offered by a
registered provider, incorporates interactive activities that assess learning
and provide feedback to the learner, and offers an opportunity for interaction
with the instructor.
(H) The
registered provider shall determine the clock hours of training credit to be
awarded for successful completion of an online course and shall provide
verification of completion as required in subsection (i) of this
section.
(c)
For the purposes of this section, a registered provider has demonstrated
proficiency in the content required for a specific training. An individual
applicant shall register with the TEA to provide the board member continuing
education required in subsection (b)(3), (5), and (7) of this section. Groups
and organizations are not eligible for registration.
(1) The applicant's registration application
shall include documentation of the applicant's training, experience,
educational background, which must include a bachelor's or higher degree, and
expertise in the activities and areas covered in the framework for school board
development. A registration application that does not demonstrate the training,
experience, educational background, and expertise shall be rejected.
(2) TEA will provide each applicant with a
list of at least five TEA-approved background check providers and a list of
TEA-approved background checks associated with obtaining a professional
certification or license in this state, including background checks of school
district employees conducted using the criminal history clearinghouse
established by the Texas Department of Public Safety pursuant to the Texas
Government Code, §
411.0845. The
applicant's registration application shall include a background check report
from one of the approved providers or a background check report performed in
association with obtaining an approved professional certification or license. A
registration application that does not include a background check report
completed in the last 12 months shall be rejected, and a registration
application that includes a background check report documenting an applicant's
felony or crime of moral turpitude conviction shall be rejected.
(3) Any registered provider will report to
TEA within 10 days if they are convicted of a felony or crime of moral
turpitude. TEA shall revoke a registered provider's status upon notification
and confirmation that a registered provider has been convicted of a felony or a
crime of moral turpitude. A registered provider will be given an opportunity to
promptly contest in writing, within 30 days, a claim that the registered
provider was convicted. TEA will respond within 30 days of its decision. An
informal hearing will be conducted by TEA upon request from the registered
provider. Registration shall be withheld until confirmation of registration is
received from TEA.
(4) An updated
registration shall be required of a provider of continuing education every
three years.
(5) A registered
provider may present with other panel members, speakers, or presenters for
credit. Those panel members, speakers, or presenters must comply with
subsections (d)-(m) of this section but are not required to comply with
paragraphs (1)-(4) of this subsection. Any violation of this section by the
other panel members, speakers, or presenters is the responsibility of the
registered provider.
(6) A school
district that provides continuing education exclusively for its own board
members is not required to register.
(7) An ESC is not required to register under
this subsection.
(d) A
provider of training under this section may not engage in political advocacy
during the training sessions under this section.
(1) For the purposes of this section,
political advocacy means:
(A) supporting or
opposing political candidate(s), a particular party, or a group of candidates
who hold a particular political viewpoint or position, specifically or by
unmistakable implication, with the intent to influence the outcome of an
election or appointment; and/or
(B)
supporting or opposing any measure with the intent to influence the outcome of
a legislative, rulemaking, or other policy process or measure.
(2) Political advocacy shall not
include discussions on fostering legislative relationships, legislative or
rulemaking processes, or legislative or policy updates.
(3) If a provider is required to register
under subsection (c) of this section, the provider shall provide a written
acknowledgement, provided by the agency, indicating that the provider shall not
engage in political advocacy while providing training. A registration
application that does not include an acknowledgement shall be
rejected.
(4) If the agency
determines a provider engaged in political advocacy while providing training,
the agency shall:
(A) issue a warning to the
provider;
(B) request that the
provider submit a written explanation from the provider explaining the events
and what action, if any, has or will be taken to prevent a future violation;
and
(C) notify members of the State
Board of Education of the warning issued to the provider and include any
written explanation from the provider.
(5) The board may remove the registration or
the authorization to provide training under this section for an individual,
school district, or regional service center if the board determines that the
provider engaged in political advocacy while providing training under this
section.
(6) Removal of
registration or authorization under paragraph (5) of this subsection shall be
for a term of one year unless modified by the board.
(7) A provider is presumed to have provided
political advocacy while providing training under this section if the political
advocacy occurs during that training session.
(e) An authorized provider meets all the
requirements of a registered provider and has demonstrated proficiency in the
content required in subsection (b)(4) and (6) of this section. Proficiency may
be demonstrated by completing a TEA-approved train-the-trainer course that
includes evaluation on the topics and following a review of the provider's
qualifications and course design, or through other means as determined by the
commissioner.
(1) A school district or
individual may be authorized by TEA to provide the board member training
required in subsection (b)(4) and (6) of this section.
(2) An ESC shall be authorized by TEA to
provide the board member training required in subsection (b)(4) and (6) of this
section.
(3) The authorization
process shall include documentation of the provider's training and/or expertise
in the activities and areas covered in the framework for school board
development.
(4) An updated
authorization shall be required of a provider of training every three
years.
(f) No continuing
education shall take place during a school board meeting unless that meeting is
called expressly for the delivery of board member continuing education.
However, continuing education may take place prior to or after a legally called
board meeting in accordance with the provisions of the Texas Government Code,
§
551.001(4).
(g) An ESC board member continuing education
program shall be open to any interested person, including a current or
prospective board member. A district is not responsible for any costs
associated with individuals who are not current board members.
(h) A registration fee shall be determined by
ESCs to cover the costs of providing continuing education programs offered by
ESCs.
(i) For each training
described in this section, the provider of continuing education shall provide
verification of completion of board member continuing education to the
individual participant and to the participant's school district. The
verification must include the provider's authorization or registration
number.
(j) To the extent possible,
the entire board shall participate in continuing education programs
together.
(k) At the last regular
meeting of the board of trustees before an election of trustees, the current
president of each local board of trustees shall announce the name of each board
member who has completed the required continuing education, who has exceeded
the required hours of continuing education, and who is deficient in meeting the
required continuing education as of the anniversary of the date of each board
member's election or appointment to the board or two-year anniversary of his or
her previous training, as applicable. The announcement shall state that
completing the required continuing education is a basic obligation and
expectation of any sitting board member under SBOE rule. The minutes of the
last regular board meeting before an election of trustees must reflect whether
each trustee has met or is deficient in meeting the training required for the
trustee as of the first anniversary of the date of the trustee's election or
appointment or two-year anniversary of his or her previous training, as
applicable. The president shall cause the minutes of the local board to reflect
the announcement and, if the minutes reflect that a trustee is deficient in
training as of the anniversary of his or her joining the board, the district
shall post the minutes on the district's Internet website within 10 business
days of the meeting and maintain the posting until the trustee meets the
requirements.
(l) Annually, the
SBOE shall commend those local board-superintendent teams that complete at
least eight hours of the continuing education specified in subsection (b)(4)
and (5) of this section as an entire board-superintendent team.
(m) Annually, the SBOE shall commend local
board-superintendent teams that effectively implement the commissioner's
trustee improvement and evaluation tool developed under the TEC, §
11.182, or any other
tool approved by the commissioner.
