City and state education agencies have been ordered to complete an investigation into whether Brooklyn Yeshiva is providing students with a good, basic education.
A New York Supreme Court judge has abdicated its responsibility for departments to investigate whether the school – Yeshiva Mesivata Arugath Habosum – offers an education that is “substantially equivalent” to the public school system, court documents show. show.
“The court’s decision should send a clear message to the NYC DOE that it is their responsibility to conclude their investigation into non-compliant yeshiva in a timely fashion,” said Naftuli, executive director of Young Advocates for Fair Education, a pro-secular Moster said. Education in Yeshivas Group on Wednesday.
The case concerns Beatrice Weber, a 10-year-old mother who left her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community but, under a family court order, had to send her child to Brooklyn Yeshiva – her ex-husband’s school of choice.
Weber filed a petition against DOE and Yeshiva with the New York State Department of Education in September 2019, alleging that her then 8-year-old son was not receiving the required secular education in the state.
State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa dismissed the petition, suggesting it was premature until the city investigated the allegations – leading Weber to appeal to the New York Supreme Court.
This week Justice Adam Silverman ordered the agencies to complete their investigation into the Brooklyn yeshiva by September 2022.
“While the matter was escalated and my son lost valuable years of learning, I love the decision and I hope other parents will be inspired by my actions,” Weber said.
The decision comes after Isawas sent thousands of letters against draft state inspection rules for non-public schools, ahead of voting on the final policy later this year.
While state officials maintain the proposal ensures a fair education to students, Yeshiv’s letter-writers said it hindered their ability to provide religious schooling to Jewish children.
David Bloomfield, professor of education law and policy at Brooklyn College and CUNY Graduate Center, called this week’s decision “historic in two respects”—that it seeks to provide judicial relief to individual parents under state law for secular education. Allegations of deficiency, and that the court ordered the state and the city to stop dragging its feet.
“The only issue is how many parents will take advantage of that opportunity,” Bloomfield said.
“For the most part, parents of ultra-Orthodox students are aware and seem satisfied that there is not necessary secular instruction, which makes it even more important for the state and city to enforce the law,” he said. “Even if a parent says I want my child to know the Talmud and Torah, the law doesn’t say so.”
Bloomfield weighed its impact on the investigation of other Yeshiva after allegations against former Mayor Bill de Blasio said he delayed reports on their quality for his political gain.
“Mayor Adams has aligned himself with ultra-Orthodox Yeshiva, and there is no indication at this point that he plans to launch the necessary investigation that was similarly delayed under de Blasio,” he said.
Agency spokeswoman Emily DeSantis said the state education department is evaluating the decision and is waiting for the city to complete its investigation.
