BROOKLYN -- By the time he was 20 years old, Naftuli Moster says he didn't even know what an essay was, let alone how to write one.

"I didn't know the very basics, what I would be taught in elementary, high school," said Moster.

He says the curriculum at his Brooklyn Yeshiva focused almost entirely on religious texts taught in Yiddish or Hebrew.

"English or math or science or history, none of that is taught."

While girls find a little more balance in the curriculum, Moster says boys in the ultra- Orthadox communities of Williamsburg, Borough Park, and Midwood are almost completely cut off from general education at 13 years of age.

"My experience represents the majority of the community." Which is why Moster started the group Young Advocates for Fair Education or YAFFED.

Last month, the group sent a letter to the Department of Education signed by more than 50 parents, students, and teachers from almost 40 schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Now the DOE says it's investigating.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We take seriously our responsibility to ensure that all students in New York receive an appropriate education, and we will investigate all allegations that are brought to our attention."

"The investigation alone is not enough," said Moster. "The question is what's going to come after the investigation. And I would appreciate it if the DOE was a little clearer on what they want to do. What kind of questions are they asking? What kind of proof are they going to look for? And if they contacted us we could actually guide them on that."

State law requires schools to teach English, math, science, history, and several other subjects.

Yeshivas, Catholic and other private schools fall under the same requirements, but get very little oversight even though they receive public funding.

Moster says it's not about criticizing the curriculum, but rather ensuring that future generations don't have to face the same challenges he had to overcome.

"They can teach the Jewish studies, which I believe are important. I gained a lot from learning those studies as well. But at the same time it shouldn't come at the expense of no secular studies."