September 2025 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4

Discussion of Required Parental Rights Training for School District Trustees

September 11, 2025

COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITITAIVES: DISCUSSION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: NO ACTION

SUMMARY: Senate Bill (SB) 204, enacted by the 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to require trustees to complete training on the rights of parents regarding the education of their children. This item is for the board to discuss the curriculum and materials for the training.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Texas Education Code (TEC), §11.159(b-2), as established by SB 204, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.

TEC, §11.159(b-2), requires the SBOE to require a trustee to complete training on the rights of a parent regarding the education of the parent’s child. The SBOE, with assistance from the agency, must develop the curriculum and materials for the training.

The full text of statutory citations can be found in the link above.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: This item is for the SBOE to discuss the curriculum and materials for the required parental rights training for school district trustees. In order to meet the April 1, 2026, statutory deadline, the training curriculum and materials will be submitted to the SBOE for review and final approval at the January 2026 meeting.

The SBOE has adopted continuing education requirements for school board members in 19 TAC Chapter 61, Subchapter A. A proposed amendment to 19 TAC §61.1 to add the parental rights training requirement will be presented to the board for consideration at a future meeting.

Staff Members Responsible:
Christopher Lucas, Director, Research, and Policy, Governance
Steve Lecholop, Deputy Commissioner, Governance

Attachment:
Text of SB 204, 89th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2025 as enrolled Required Continuing Education for Trustees