Governor Kathy Hochul is trying to include language in the state budget that would make it easier for non-public schools to be in compliance with the state Education Department guidelines, which were bolstered last year.
This has caused concern among non-traditional public schools, which have been alert since members of the Board of Regents voted in September to strengthen requirements and oversight of the curriculum taught in non-public schools, and to enforce instruction equivalent to public districts. The leaders of the state Association of Independent Schools and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents have sent letters to Hochul and all members of the Legislature expressing their concern.
The proposed changes have not been included in the governor’s, Senate’s, or Assembly’s budgets. School leaders sent their letters to Hochul and lawmakers after hearing of efforts to include the changes during budget negotiations that have largely taken place behind closed doors.
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