A new lawsuit filed in Brooklyn is challenging New York’s recent changes to how nonpublic schools, including ultra-Orthodox Jewish yeshivas, are evaluated for compliance with state education standards.
The case, lodged in state Supreme Court on September 18, names Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democratic-led Legislature as defendants and seeks to roll back a law adopted as part of the 2025 state budget.
Newsweek contacted Governor Kathy Hochul for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Thursday.
Why It Matters
The lawsuit could reshape how New York balances parental rights with children’s constitutional right to a “sound basic education.” At issue is whether budget-year changes—passed quietly in 2025 and applauded by some ultra-Orthodox leaders—let yeshivas meet state requirements without reliably teaching core subjects such as English, math and civics…