In a passionate speech on the New York State Assembly floor, Assembly Member Wieder voiced strong support for a budget provision aimed at reducing the State Education Department’s oversight of private schools. Expressing gratitude to his colleague from Boro Park for championing the cause, Wieder emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity and autonomy of private educational institutions.
Wieder described the push for “substantial equivalency” standards as “the greatest hoax perpetrated in New York,” dismissing claims that students in private Chasidic schools receive inadequate education as “a rotten red herring.” He argued that these schools consistently produce successful, civically engaged citizens, challenging the narrative of educational deficiency.
Highlighting the limited state funding provided to private schools—covering only transportation, lunch, and Title programs—Wieder questioned the Education Department’s authority to exert control over institutions that receive no state support for teachers, curriculum, or infrastructure. He pointed out the irony of a department struggling to manage underperforming public schools now seeking to regulate thriving private ones, a move he said has caused concern among parents.
The assembly member called for celebration of the “rich cultural and educational diversity” that non-public schools contribute to New York, invoking the state’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He framed the budget provision as a critical step toward safeguarding parental rights and educational freedom.
In closing, Wieder commended the Assembly Speaker for his leadership and urged his colleagues to support the measure, proudly casting his vote in favor. The provision, he argued, represents a victory for both educational choice and the diverse communities served by New York’s private schools.
