Say NO!

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to you as a parent who chooses to send my child to a non-public educational institution, to register my opposition to the updated regulations proposed by the State Education Department.

Sacrifice for Yeshiva Education:
I choose yeshiva education for my children because I want 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 the texts, values, and history of our Jewish faith.

I pay for the privilege of sending my child to private school; it is a sacrifice that costs my family dearly. I pay for 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.

Our Educational Values:
I choose yeshiva education for my children because Judaism is a central part of our existence. The next generation of children must receive an education steeped in Jewish tradition, ideals, and ideas.

The institution my children attend was established as part of a network of several thousand Jewish schools and educational centers in the United States and around the world. Our network’s contributions were recognized throughout the world and here in America. "Education and Sharing Day" was proclaimed by the United States Congress and has been designated as such annually by every President since 1978.


Some Issues with the Proposed Regulations:
The proposed regulations, if adopted, would undermine the core values that constitute a Torah education:
They mandate the local school districts to evaluate yeshiva education. While 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, and in terms of their lack of familiarity with the yeshiva curriculum.
Furthermore, they impose a significant regulatory burden on nonpublic schools and local school districts.
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 disgruntled dropout to file an appeal, wasting the valuable time and resources of the school, NYSED, and the local school district.

In addition, under current guidelines, school closure is threatened if programs are determined to be less than equivalent. If a public school is underperforming, it receives additional resources and is not at risk of losing funding, being forcibly closed, and having parents directed to transfer their children to other schools.

Furthermore, parents face imprisonment if they choose to keep their child enrolled in a school that does not meet the government’s proposed threshold.

In summary, the school is told what to teach, teachers employed by the school are subject to the approval of the local school board, parents may be directed by local school boards to send their children to other schools, outsiders may cause a previously approved school to be reevaluated, and any person has the authority to initiate administrative or judicial proceedings challenging a school's ability to operate.

The sum of these regulations undermines the school choice that I, as a parent, hold. It is legally and morally wrong.

Proud Record of Achievement:
These regulations are not necessary because private and religious schools have a long and proud track record. Their achievement and graduation rates are high, and their students lead successful, law-abiding lives.

The impressive student outcomes speak volumes and are a testament to yeshiva's success. The diverse graduates lead full and meaningful lives, and over 97% of them are gainfully employed in all sectors of the economy.

In addition, many graduates of our educational Institutions commit to a life of civic responsibility, taking on the sacred task of creating and leading vibrant communities and social service institutions around the world.

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 mandated in any state. These regulations are neither legal nor necessary.

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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