Reply To: What is mandated in NY for private schooling

Why are they below average? Who says throwing money at it will help?

I fully agree. In fact, throwing money has been tried (Kansas City Kansas) and not worked. However, unless the board believes the problems are insurmountable (in which case they have failed and should be replaced), their priority should be to study why the children emerging from their district are significantly below average.

Syag Lchochma: I didn’t know that. In that case, that would be the legal standard.

Mammele – Thanks for being honest, I’ll try to address your points (but once again, let’s try to avoid names:)

So it boils down sometimes to doing things only based on dry law.

If that is all the law requires, then that is all that is needed to be provided.

So in Williamsburg for example there is a Yiddish/Jewish special Ed class based in a public school, while East Ramapo did not want to provide such accommodation.

My guess is that a public school setting (in any district) would not allow for religious schooling after/before hours, but that is pure speculation. I’d be interested in hearing specifics when you have a chance.

As to your question of taking the cheapest option that’s minimally adequate, I could flip it and say the same for regular public education. If drama lessons for example, despite being helpful for self esteem — and it may even be a career option — are cost prohibitive, why should it not be cut?

I agree fully and I think that drama, tuba or anything else should be cut in order to provide mandatory services (if they are mandatory).