Administrators' Responsibilities
Overview
This page outlines the legal, nondelegable responsibilities of principals and superintendents when responding to and reporting suspected abuse, neglect, and educator misconduct. It summarizes required actions and reporting timelines under Senate Bill 571 (SB 571), explains the use of TEA reporting systems, and highlights key compliance obligations related to campus safety.
Reportable Misconduct
Reportable misconduct may include, but is not limited to:
- Abuse or physical mistreatment
- Romantic or sexual conduct involving a student or minor
- Drug-related offenses
- Misuse of public funds or school property
- Fraud related to educator certification
- Criminal conduct occurring on campus or at school-related events
- State assessment or testing violations
Administrators should report concerns based on reasonable suspicion, not confirmed findings.
Principal Reporting Responsibilities
Principals must notify the superintendent within 48 hours of becoming aware that an employee, contractor, or service provider may have engaged in conduct that poses a risk to student safety, including but not limited to:
- Abuse of a student or minor
- Threats of violence
- Romantic or sexual conduct involving a student or minor
- Boundary violations
- Inappropriate communications with a student
This notification requirement applies regardless of whether the individual resigns, is terminated, or is placed on leave.
Superintendent Reporting Responsibilities
Superintendents have independent, mandatory reporting duties under Texas law and must submit required reports to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC):
- Within 48 hours of receiving notice of reportable misconduct, and
- Within 7 days of an employee’s resignation or termination when the separation is related to suspected misconduct
These duties may not be delegated and apply even if a local investigation is ongoing.
How to Report
All reports required under Senate Bill 571 and Texas Education Code Chapter 22A must be submitted through the TEA Misconduct Reporting Portal, which is the official system for reporting misconduct to TEA and SBEC.
Access to the portal and technical assistance are available through the TEA Help Desk.
Important
The TEA complaint form may not be used in lieu of the Misconduct Reporting Portal for required misconduct reports. Submitting a complaint does not satisfy a superintendent’s mandatory reporting obligations.
Training Requirements for Student Safety and Abuse Prevention
Texas law requires training related to student safety and abuse prevention for individuals working in Texas public schools. Superintendents are responsible for ensuring these requirements are met across the school system and for completing additional training applicable to their role.
School systems must ensure required training is completed and properly documented in accordance with Texas Education Code §§ 38.004 and 38.0041.
Responsibilities
Superintendents and administrators are responsible for:
- Ensuring all required employees complete state‑mandated student safety and abuse prevention training
- Maintaining documentation of training completion
- Monitoring compliance with current statutory requirements, including updates to state law
Because state law has changed, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) recommends that all employees complete updated training, even if similar training was completed previously.
Required Training Content
State‑required training must address:
- Child abuse, sexual abuse, trafficking, and other forms of maltreatment
- Warning signs of abuse and neglect
- Special considerations for students with significant cognitive disabilities, including non‑verbal indicators of harm
Additional Training Requirement for Superintendents
Superintendents are subject to additional, periodic training under Texas Education Code §21.054(h) related to identifying abuse, neglect, or trafficking and mandatory reporting responsibilities. Information about approved providers is available through Continuing Professional Education.
TEA‑Provided Training Option
TEA offers a free training course that meets state requirements through the TEA Learn platform:
School systems may use this course or another training program that meets state requirements.
Required Campus Safety Signage
Posting Requirements
Under TEC §38.0042, campuses must display signage that includes:
- The Texas Abuse Hotline: 1‑800‑252‑5400
- 911 emergency instructions
- The Texas Abuse Hotline website: https://txabusehotline.org
Signs must be:
- Posted in English and Spanish
- Placed at student eye level
- Located in high‑traffic areas on campus
Approved Posters
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in cooperation with Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, has developed approved posters.