MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

I am writing to register my opposition to the updated regulations proposed by the State Education Department.

Values

I chose yeshiva education for my children because I wanted them to receive an education in the tradition and values of my Jewish faith. Judaism is central to who and what I am. I want my children to receive an education that is informed by Jewish tradition, history, culture, ideals and ideas.

Willing to Pay for my Values

I pay for the privilege of sending my child to private school; it is a sacrifice that costs my family dearly. And I pay it on top of the income and other taxes that we all pay to fund local public schools. I pay this small fortune only due to the conviction with which I value my child's education.

Local Districts Cannot Properly Evaluate my Child’s School

The proposed regulations charge the local school district to evaluate my children’s school. While the local school districts may do a wonderful job educating their students, they are woefully unequipped to properly evaluate a yeshiva, both in terms of available resources, of which local districts are wanting, and their lack of familiarity with the instructional program of yeshivas. Furthermore, they impose a substantial regulatory burden on nonpublic schools and the local school districts.

Judaic Study is Academically Demanding and Should be Considered

The school that I chose for my children has a long and rigorous school day inclusive of Jewish studies. Judaic studies include a rich and multilayered course load featuring complex legal and moral texts, which require textual analysis, logical reasoning, and critical thinking, all garbed within nuanced ancient and modern languages. I am proud of what my children learn at yeshiva, and the intellectual rigor it requires.


Section 130.10 (d) of the proposed regulations states: “Reviews shall be informed by, and respectful of, the cultural and religious beliefs and educational philosophy that may drive the curriculum in nonpublic schools and be integrated with academic content in the delivery of instruction.” While we appreciate the respect for cultural and religious beliefs, this falls far short of acknowledging the religious and educational value of those studies.

Ancillary and Unneeded Subjects Included

In addition to the standard subjects of English, Math, Social Studies, Science and Phys Ed, these regulations add ancillary subjects that may detract from the primary mission of the yeshiva.

Anyone Can File a Complaint

Typically, to file a legal appeal from an adverse ruling, one must be an actual party to the proceeding. However, the regulations (130.12) allow “Persons considering themselves aggrieved by an LSA’s substantial equivalency determination” to file an appeal. This opens the door for any malcontent or dissatisfied dropout to file an appeal, wasting the precious time and resources of the school, NYSED, and the local school district. Furthermore, current guidance threatens school closure for programs found not to be equivalent. When a public school is underperforming, it is given additional resources, not threatened with losing funding, forced closure, and the parents instructed to transfer their children to other schools.

Slippery Slope and Bad Policy

These regulations undermine our religious rights to educate our children in our religious beliefs. These regulations open the door for NYSED to impose curricular requirements that are antithetical to our values and way of life. This will focus time and resources away and impact their ability to accomplish their mission of educating their students.

There is a reason overreaching control of private schools, such as those contemplated in these regulations, has never been done in any state. These regulations are neither legal nor necessary.

Proud Record of Achievement

The regulations are not necessary because private and religious schools have a long and proud record of achievement. Their achievements and graduation rates are high, and their students go on to lead successful, law abiding lives.

The thousands of satisfied yeshiva graduates who have become highly productive members of society, for decades, are the living proof to that. Yeshiva graduates typically send their own children to yeshiva, precisely because of the personal and professional success they themselves have attained and come to expect from a yeshiva education.

I urge you to respect my ability as a parent to choose the fundamental way that I wish to raise my child. I firmly reject these proposed regulations.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
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