Hasidic Yeshivas In Midwood And Borough Park Are Failing To Teach Students Basic Math And English

Although students at yeshivas in Midwood, Borough Park and other predominantly hasidic neighborhoods in the city spend more time in school than other students in the city, many are not learning basic math and English skills, according to a report by The Jewish Week and WNYC.

Neighbor Amy Sara Clark co-authored the in-depth report into the education practices at many of the religious schools, which largely stop teaching secular topics after the age of 13 even though students spend 10-14 hours a day at school.

According to the The Jewish Week, the Department of Education and public officials are finally taking notice, despite these practices being common for years.

This summer, for the first time, the New York City Department of Education has launched an investigation into whether these yeshivas are meeting state requirements to provide an education that is “substantially equivalent” to what public schools offer. And on the heels of the DOE move, The Jewish Week and WNYC have learned, Daniel Dromm, the influential chair of the city council’s education committee, is pledging to hold the schools more accountable.

Generally, hasidic boys only get 90 minutes at the end of the day for secular classes and they are not taken seriously.

“We can’t have students leaving schools in New York City that can’t speak English, that have no idea of science or history or social studies,” Council Member Daniel Dromm told The Jewish Week. “That is not allowed by the state and we cannot continue to allow that to happen anywhere in the state.”

Do you have experience with secular education in yeshivas? Let us know what you think.