How Proposed Oversight in NY May Impact All Private Schools

(From Schwartz Hannum PC) The New York State Education Department has proposed public oversight of all non-public schools in the state in response to complaints from graduates claiming that a number of ultra-Orthodox yeshivas did not provide adequate instruction in secular subjects such as math, science and English. What regulations coming out of New York might impact independent schools? Among the proposed oversight regulations were the following:

• The state Education Department will inspect independent schools every five years.
• Independent schools will be required to provide at least 72 minutes of math education every day.
• Independent schools must provide their local school boards with sample lesson plans.
• Continued non-compliance could result in cessation of various forms of public support or a determination that attendance at the school will not fulfill the state's mandatory education requirements.

The proposed restrictions have drawn sharp criticism from religious leaders as well as leaders in independent school communities, many of whom argue that the proposed regulations are unnecessary, would be redundant with current accreditation processes, would be wasteful of public funds and would threaten the autonomy of independent schools. While New York independent schools are actively pushing back against threatened regulations, independent schools everywhere would be wise to keep abreast of legal developments and continue to engage in a robust oversight process.

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