New York State law requires that private schools, whether secular or religious, must provide an education that is “substantially equivalent” to that provided by public schools. But the former schools are arguing that means micromanaging the curriculum and instruction (“Call off the state bid to micromanage private schools,” New York Post, Sep. 11).
That’s hardly the case. All schools must comply with the law. Regular inspections are a reasonable way to determine if the law is being obeyed. In light of complaints that some yeshivas in New York City were not providing students with a sufficient secular education, there is a clear need for oversight.
No one is trying to meddle with how private schools operate. Parents choose them for one reason or another. That is their right. But I think the state law is reasonable.
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