Write To The New York Governor And Education Department
Take action on behalf of the 65,000 children being denied an education
We can’t wait any longer. And Hasidic school children, the victims of educational neglect, certainly can’t wait any longer.
Take action today! We demand that change be made before a 7th school year begins.
The Problem:
In New York City, tens of thousands of children attending ultra-Orthodox yeshivas are being denied a basic education. This means they are not learning English, Math, Science, or Social Studies.
New York State Education law § 3204 requires all non-public schools to provide their pupils with instruction that is “at least substantially equivalent” to what is being provided in public schools.
In July 2015, fifty two Yeshiva graduates and parents filed a complaint that listed 39 Yeshivas in New York City that are not meeting substantial equivalency.
It’s been six years now with no action even though the NYC DOE finally acknowledged that 26 out of the 28 Yeshivas they investigated did not meet substantial equivalency.
The DOE promised to remedy the problem but hasn’t, and another school year has just begun. If the New York City Mayor and Chancellor don’t take action, tens of thousands of students will be denied their right to an education for yet another school year.
At the State level, the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) is poised to introduce new regulations to guide local authorities in their oversight of private schools. At a Spring 2021 meeting of The Board of Regents, a timeline was published for the department’s regulatory rulemaking process. We must hold the NYSED to this timeline and ensure that their regulations are an effective enforcement mechanism.