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CHARTER LEGISLATION
In February of 1995, the Texas Legislature authorized the creation of charter schools in Senate Bill
1. The legislation allows for three types of charter schools. The Lawson Academy falls into the
“Open Enrollment” category of charter schools. Open Enrollment charter schools may be
operated by a qualifying non-profit corporation. WALIPP is our qualifying corporation.
According to state law, “Charter schools are public schools and are required to meet state
accreditation requirements. In general, charter schools are designed and managed by concerned
teachers, parents, and community members. An application for a charter school is submitted to
the Texas State Board of Education for approval. Open Enrollment charter schools are directly
accountable to the State Board of Education and are monitored by the Texas Education Agency to
ensure that they meet both state and federal guidelines. Many rules and regulations that apply to
traditional public schools have been removed from charter schools; yet, with this freedom, there
is a great deal of fiscal and student academic accountability.”
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