New Yeshiva Regulations Anger Long Island Republicans

WOODMERE, NY — Local Republicans are reacting to the state's decision that requires yeshivas and other private schools to offer an education that is "substantially equivalent" to what students in public schools receive, the Board of Regents said last week.

The "government outreach" will lead to "eroding the independence of religious schools," according to a release.

The state, for the first time, voted last week in favor of private schools having to show proof that they are teaching English, math and other essential subjects or risk the loss of government funding, the New York Times reported.

Several Long Island-based politicians or candidates for office were expected to say the state's policy "provides local public school district authorities the opportunity to have the final say on curriculum taught in nearby faith-based schools," the GOP release added.

However, the new guidelines have been debated for years over how much, if any, government intervention there should be in overseeing the private school curriculum.

The rules set forth last week do not impose a minimum requirement for the amount of time devoted to secular subjects, the New York Times reported.

It allows schools to operate under no penalty if education officials think the school is making a good-faith effort to improve, the Times said.