TEA Sets Sept. 1 ISD Trustee Parental Rights Training Deadline

Cover: TEA Parental Rights Training Course — Image: TEA website screenshot

School trustees who were sworn in before Jan. 1, 2026 (a category that includes most currently serving ISD board members), must complete the new parental rights training course by Sept. 1, 2026, the TEA announced Thursday (Aug. 13, 2026).

Note: Later deadlines apply to newly elected and appointed school board members who assumed (or will assume) office on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

The self-paced online course, with a five-hour completion-time estimate, was approved in April by the State Board of Education and is available on the TEA LEARN platform.

Trustees who complete the training receive a certificate of completion. School districts must maintain verification of completion of the parental rights training for each of their trustees.

The requirement does not pertain to charter school governing board members.

Parental Rights Handbook

Meanwhile, the TEA also completed its legislative assignment of adopting/ posting a new TEA Parental Rights Handbook that explains a parent’s rights regarding the education of the parent’s child.

Note: Access the TEA’s announcement about the parental rights school board training and handbook here.