Despite New York State law requiring religious schools to provide an education substantially equivalent to that provided by public schools, yeshivas continue to be non-compliant (“Ultra-Orthodox kids deserve better,” New York Daily News, July 30). They view secular education as irrelevant to their way of life.
I believe in parental choice as long as it does not violate the law. The right of parents to direct the education their children receive goes only so far. The courts have held that religious beliefs do not trump the law. For example, when Christian Scientists withheld medical treatment for their child and the child died, the parents were criminally charged.
When children cannot read or write, yeshivas need to be held accountable. Unfortunately, politicians have been reluctant to shut them down because of their support at election time.
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