NYS Education Regulations for Yeshivos Pushed Off 7 Years

New York State’s new budget includes a major win for yeshivos, granting nonpublic schools an additional seven years to meet state education requirements. The change comes after previous state regulations that many felt threatened the frum chinuch system.

By Anash.org reporter

In a surprise move, New York State lawmakers passed a budget that includes a major win for yeshivos across the state. The new law gives nonpublic schools – including many yeshivos – seven more years to meet certain state education requirements.

Under the previous regulations, yeshivos were required to prove they were providing an education “substantially equivalent” to that of public schools. These rules, introduced by the State Education Department in 2022, sparked strong concern in the frum community, who felt their unique approach to chinuch was being threatened by government interference.

After extensive efforts by New York askonim, the new budget deal gives schools until the 2032–33 school year to comply with the state education requirements. They will also be able to use a variety of tests and programs to demonstrate educational outcomes, not only the public school model.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie defended the ruling, telling Spectrum News, “It’s just allowing yeshivas and schools to get themselves in compliance and explore the multiple pathways that came from SED.”

This comes after years of pressure from activists and organizations pushing for tighter control over yeshivos. Many of them are strongly criticizing the new law, saying it weakens standards and delays proper oversight. However, many askonim say it finally gives schools the breathing room they need to continue their important work without unwanted intrusion.

While this is seen as a major victory for many yeshivos, by significantly delaying implementation and allowing more flexibility, many mosdos, particularly the Lubavitch chadorim and yeshivos in Crown Heights, remain fully committed to chinuch al taharas hakodesh and do not plan to compromise in any form, now or in the future.