New York's faith community alarmed by Department of Education's proposed 'intrusion' into religious schools

New York Department of Education's 'equivalency' regulations are causing friction among faith communities, such as Catholics and Jews.

Hannah Grossman is an associate editor at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent on Twitter: @GrossmanHannah.

New York's regulations would strengthen those that already exist in order "to ensure that all students receive the education to which they are entitled," the Education Department said in June. These are known as "substantially equivalent instruction" regulations. However, critics see the regulations as a "slippery slope" and an uncomfortable intrusion into their values. The department plans to make a final decision in September.

"On the face of it, it looks pretty reasonable. Why wouldn't we want to make sure that religious schools are… making sure that children get the education that's going to help them survive in the world. But… this implies that there's some sort of a gap that's going on right now… requires government intervention. The government doesn't need to intervene in every aspect of private life," Royer continued. "New York needs to focus on its own approach to its own public school system other than, you know, you can start the manner with which religious schools which are doing a fine job of educating children."