(Democrat & Chronicle) The Harley School and several other New York state independent schools are suing the state education department over new regulations they say would infringe on their independence. New state guidance, announced in November 2018, specifies that public school districts and their elected boards must determine if non-public schools within their district lines offer equivalent education to district public schools. If a private school's curriculum is determined to be lacking, it is the public school's responsibility to help develop a corrective plan. The regulations were developed with an eye toward downstate ultra-Orthodox yeshivas, where critics allege students graduate from high school without even a rudimentary secular education.
Harley Head of School Larry Frye said he understands the need for quality control at non-public schools but maintained that independent accrediting organizations like the New York State Association of Independent Schools, which is organizing the lawsuit to halt the new regulations, have always proven capable of providing oversight. The guidance should have addressed only those schools that needed additional oversight, he said.
More from the Democrat & Chronicle
Listen to the latest episode of the Net Assets podcast.
