Not the same thing.
I would say that it is, IF this statement is to be taken at face value: "Newton schools Superintendent Jeff Young said it is a violation of school policy to tape or photograph students without parental permission. Note that there is no modifier about the circumstances of the taping. If the parent can prove that other school assemblies (or hell, even ball games) have been taped by parents without the explicit permission of the parents of each child caught on film, then this is selective enforcement of a dubious rule at best.
I also think the whole "Her tax dollars are sent there, so she has a right to be there!" argument is silly. I'm sure a hefty portion of my taxes goes to the Pentagon, but I don't believe I could walk in with a video camera and start taping at random. I'd be lucky to make it out alive.
My taxes fund the girls locker room, and I have every right to be there dammit!
National security vs. visiting a school assembly, not classes, to learn about what kids are being taught in her district. Good argument. [SAR. off] I suppose this assembly included detailed analysis of what information was being supplied to the children of paying customers.
You also couldn't take a video camera into the average courthouse. Here in CT I needed to go to a Superior Court and was turned away at security because my mobile phone had a camera.