Assemblyman Aron Wieder Denounces ‘Substantial Equivalency’ as Government Overreach, Defends Educational Autonomy of Private Schools

By: Russ Spencer

In a passionate address delivered on the New York State Assembly floor on Thursday, Assemblyman Aron Wieder voiced forceful opposition to the state’s continued efforts to enforce “substantial equivalency” standards in private education—a regulatory push that has generated considerable concern among advocates for religious and independent schooling. As reported by VIN News, Wieder labeled the initiative “a hoax,” accusing state bureaucrats of disguising centralized control as concern for educational standards.

The term “substantial equivalency” refers to a state mandate that private schools, including yeshivas and other religious institutions, must offer instruction that is substantially equivalent to that provided in public schools. Proponents claim the rule is aimed at ensuring all children in New York receive a well-rounded education. But as the VIN News report has detailed, critics such as Wieder view the measure as a targeted assault on successful private institutions—particularly those rooted in religious tradition—that have historically operated outside the purview of public-school oversight.

“This is not about improving education — it’s about control,” Wieder declared during his remarks, according to the VIN News report. “Thriving private schools should not be punished for their success.”

Wieder, who represents a district with a large Orthodox Jewish population and numerous private yeshivas, described the measure as part of a broader governmental trend to undermine educational freedom. He emphasized that the vast majority of private institutions—particularly religious ones—already produce graduates who are engaged, successful, and morally grounded.

“Let us be absolutely clear: this proposal does not arise from concern for students’ futures. It arises from a desire to force one-size-fits-all policies onto communities that have, for generations, excelled through a deeply rooted educational heritage,” Wieder said, according to VIN News.

The Assemblyman’s comments draw attention to a growing divide between state regulators and private education leaders, especially in New York’s Orthodox Jewish and Catholic communities. As VIN News has reported, yeshiva leaders argue that the substantial equivalency regulations disregard the cultural and pedagogical frameworks that make their institutions successful. They warn that the new requirements could pressure schools to water down religious curricula or introduce secular subjects in a way that conflicts with their values.

Wieder, a former school board member and longtime advocate for educational choice, reaffirmed his commitment to resisting state overreach. “I will not remain silent as our communities are stripped of their autonomy in the name of a hollow bureaucratic slogan,” he said. “If we stand by and let this happen, the ripple effect will reach every corner of private education in this state.”

The debate over substantial equivalency has intensified in recent years, with legal challenges and public protests emerging from communities that believe the state is unfairly singling them out, as the VIN News report noted. Critics of the policy argue that the state is devoting outsized attention to a small number of schools while ignoring more pressing issues plaguing the public education system, including falling test scores, chronic absenteeism, and lack of parental engagement.

“This proposal is not only flawed in principle—it’s flawed in practice,” Wieder said, as quoted by VIN News. “We have thriving schools with proven records of success, yet instead of learning from them, we are threatening them with bureaucratic punishment.”

Wieder’s floor speech earned immediate praise from private school leaders and parents who fear their children’s education may soon be dictated by Albany’s centralized mandates. On social media and in community forums, supporters lauded the Assemblyman for taking a stand when others remained silent.

With more public officials such as Wieder speaking out, the measure faces intensifying scrutiny from those who believe the future of private and religious education in New York is at a pivotal crossroads.

In Wieder’s own words, as reported by VIN News: “Education is not simply the transfer of information—it is the shaping of souls, the cultivation of values, and the empowerment of communities. No government regulation should ever be allowed to take that away.”