January-February 2024 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4

Approval of Revisions to Required School Safety Training for School District Trustees

February 2, 2024

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITITAIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT

SUMMARY: This item provides an opportunity for the board to approve revisions to the school safety training curriculum for school district trustees.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), 11.159(b-1).

TEC, §11.159(b-1), requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to require a trustee to complete training on school safety. The SBOE, in coordination with the Texas School Safety Center, must develop the curriculum and materials for the training.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the statutory authority section of this agenda.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: House Bill (HB) 690, passed by the 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, requires the SBOE to require a trustee to complete training on school safety. The SBOE coordinates with the Texas School Safety Center to develop the curriculum and materials for the training.

In November 2021, the SBOE approved the school safety training and made it available on TEA Learn in February 2022. The SBOE adopted rules governing the new school safety training in 19 TAC §61.3 which became effective on May 31, 2022.

At the November 2023 meeting, the Texas School Safety Center presented to the Committee on School Initiatives proposed revisions to the curriculum. This item provides an opportunity for the board to approve the revisions to the school safety training curriculum proposed by the Texas School Safety Center.

MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:

Approve the revisions to the school safety training curriculum proposed by the Texas School Safety Center.

Staff Members Responsible:
John Scott, Chief of School Safety and Security
Christopher Lucas, Director, Policy, Planning, and Operations, Governance