1. (a) The continuing education required under Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.159(b-2), applies to each member of an independent school district board of trustees.

2. (b) Each trustee of an independent school district shall complete the training on parental rights developed by the State Board of Education (SBOE).

   1. (1) The purpose of the training is to ensure that each trustee:

      1. (A) understands the constitutional and statutory foundations of parental rights;
      2. (B) recognizes the trustee's duty to parents and children as beneficiaries of the public education trust;
      3. (C) governs in a manner that recognizes a parent's right to direct the upbringing, education, health, and moral training of their child; and
      4. (D) ensures district policies, procedures, and practices comply with all applicable federal and state parental rights laws.
   2. (2) 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 election or appointment must complete the training within 120 calendar days after election or appointment.
   3. (3) The training requirement shall be fulfilled by completing the online course developed by the SBOE and provided by the Texas Education Agency.

   4. (4) The continuing education shall be completed annually.

      1. (A) In a board member's first year of service, the training shall be at least five hours in length.
      2. (B) In subsequent years of service, the training shall be at least three hours in length.
      3. (C) In the event of a break in service, a trustee's first year upon reappointment or reelection shall be considered the first year of service for purposes of the training requirements under this section.
   5. (5) Each school district shall maintain verification of completion for each trustee.

Source Note:The provisions of this §61.4 adopted to be effective June 11, 2026, 51 TexReg 3890.