School Board Training

School boards are required to annually assess their needs both as individual board members and as a board collectively. The framework was first developed in 1996 and has been through several revisions, the most recent being approved by the State Board of Education in November 2020. 

framework for school board development (revised by sboe 11/2020)

It is important that school board members are aware of and receive quality training every year. Topics are in statute, specifically Texas Education Code section 11.159 and 19 Texas Administrative Code section 61.1. Board members register for training and then provide a copy of the training certificate to the appropriate staff person at the school district office. This person is oftentimes the Superintendent's administrative assistant. He/she will be the official keeper of training records. Please note ESC Region 12 does not submit training records to the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

school board trustee training

new board member training requirements

training requirements for school board members (tasb chart)

school board member continuing education tasb faq

Charter schools are public schools in Texas; however, training requirements vary from standard school districts. 19 Texas Administrative Code section100.1002-1005 and Texas Education Code 12.123 details the training requirements. As is the case in all schools, charter school board members should register for appropriate training courses and provide their certificate showing completion of training to the Superintendent's/Charter Director's administrative assistant. 

charter school board training requirements

The Texas Government Code requires elected and appointed public officials to receive training in Texas open government laws. This requirement includes school board members who must complete the training within 90 days of taking office. The links below will take you to the Office of the Attorney General where free training courses are provided.  Upon completion of the viewing of the videos, participants may print their certificate. 

open meetings act training (63 minutes)

public information act training (57 minutes)

State agencies and local governments must complete this training by June 14 of each year. Department of Information Resources (DIR) is the only approved method of receiving this training.  Government entities must annually certify compliance by June 15 using the Cybersecurity Training Certification for State and Local Governments. School districts can track their compliance in any method they choose, and will not submit training records of completion to DIR. 

HB 690 (87th Texas Legislature, 2021) requires school safety training for school board members every other year. This is only available on TEA Learn.

For any questions regarding this training, you can reach out to schoolgovernance@tea.texas.gov.

New board members are to receive a local orientation within 120 days of election or appointment per 19 TAC 61.1. The purpose of the local orientation is to help them better understand policies, procedures, goals and priorities of the district. This orientation is to last 3 hours and the Superintendent, along with another board member (oftentimes the Board President) should conduct the orientation. Other key district leaders may be a part of the orientation, depending on district size and needs and desires of the district (ex: business manager, curriculum director, athletic director, etc).

Learn more