Trustee Training Updates: Answers to Three Key Questions

For trustees, continuing education is a critical component of their service, but keeping track of what’s required can sometimes seem daunting. And in 2026, the State Board of Education added several new training requirements, which trustees must complete.

TASB Legal Services recently published a document outlining the requirements, training logistics, and other important information. To help trustees who may be unsure about how these changes impact them, we have answers to three key training-related questions.

Where can I take the required training?

Trustees can find relevant offerings at TASB events, such as txEDCON, being held in Houston Oct. 8- 11. Many of the sessions will fulfill the up to five hours of continuing education required each year. The sessions that qualify for these credits are clearly marked in the txEDCON app and program.

The October convention also includes some high-priority training sessions, including two that are required biennially:

• Evaluating and Improving Student Outcomes
• Sexual Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Other Maltreatment of Children (Child Abuse Prevention)

Trustees must take EISO from a TEA authorized provider. If a trustee takes EISO at txEDCON, TASB provides the session in accordance with TEA requirements, and also documents attendance to ensure compliance with all training requirements.

TEA maintains a list of required training sessions and authorized providers who meet the requirements on its website.

What training am I required to take?

New trustees

New trustees have many requirements, some that must be completed within the first 120 days of their service. Two of those classes include:

• Local district orientation
• Orientation to the Texas Education Code

In 2026, there are two newly required trainings:

• School safety
• Parental rights

Both school safety and parental rights training must be taken online through the TEA Learn platform. For new trustees, the first time they take parental rights, it is a five-hour session and a three-hour session in subsequent years. School safety training is a two-hour session required every two years.

TASB Legal Services provides a downloadable PDF, which allows new trustees to print and track their first-year requirements. The document highlights the key requirements and the timeframe for completion. In addition, a chart listing all of the required training courses is also available on tasb.org.

The deadline for parental rights training was Sept. 1, but TEA has said that it recognizes that in its first year of implementation, districts may need additional time to complete the training.

Experienced trustees

Many of the requirements for new trustees also apply to those members who have been on their board more than a year.

This year there are three new requirements for experienced trustees to complete, which are:

• Cybersecurity
• Parental rights
• School Safety

The Texas Cyber Command maintains a list of providers for the annual Cybersecurity training. The parental rights and school safety trainings must be taken through TEA Learn. Three hours of parental rights training must be taken every year. And school safety training is required every two years.

A chart outlining the training requirements is available on tasb.org.

What additional training is required?

Team building is an annual training requirement for board members and the superintendent. Because the training should revolve around discussions focused on local governance and training needs, the expectation is that the training takes place in a focused environment, such as in-district training, rather than at a regional event.

TASB and other registered providers can support teams with this training. It’s important to note that when this training is held in-district, it must be done in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.

TASB’s Board Development Services’ consultants work with districts to create customized team building experiences that not only meet training requirements, but that support team growth.

To learn more about customized team training, in-district consulting, and team building workshops contact Board Development Services at Board.Dev@tasb.org.