New York Regents Give Religious Schools Conscience Exemption To Teaching Tolerance

Last year, New York enacted the Dignity for All Students Act, effective July 1, 2012. (See prior posting.) In addition to prohibiting bullying, the law (Educ. Law Sec. 801-a) requires schools to include in their K-12 curriculum instruction in tolerance and respect for others of  different  races,  weights, national origins, ethnic  groups,  religions,  religious  practices,  mental  or  physical   abilities, sexual orientations, genders, and sexes. According to Yeshiva World, on Monday the New York Board of Regents voted to exempt yeshivas and parochial schools from this requirement to the extent that the school has a religious or moral objection to the requirement. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz said that parents of students in such schools "may now feel secure that ... their children will not be subjected to lessons that are inconsistent with their religious doctrines."