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New York's top court has upheld statewide education standards for private schools, including Jewish yeshivas. The New York State Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the regulations are within the state's authority. The standards require nonpublic schools to provide an education substantially equivalent to public schools.
The ruling came after a challenge from yeshivas, which argued that the state lacked the power to enforce these standards. They claimed the regulations forced parents to unenroll children from non-compliant schools, effectively closing them. However, the court, led by Judge Jenny Rivera, rejected this argument, stating the regulations enforce a statutory mandate.
The New York Daily News reported that the regulations, passed in 2022, followed a New York Times investigation highlighting educational failures in some yeshivas. Reformers argue that the schools fail to teach basic reading and math skills.
JP O’Hare, a spokesman for the state Education Department, emphasized the ruling's importance in ensuring quality education for all students in New York. While many independent schools have accepted the standards, some yeshivas remain opposed. The advocacy group Parents for Educational and Religious Liberty expressed disappointment but acknowledged the court's decision.
The court's decision reinforces the state's role in intervening when schools fail to meet educational responsibilities. The ruling is seen as a victory for those advocating for educational reform in yeshivas.