We understand how difficult it can be to navigate the New York City Department of Education. Parents can spend an enormous amount of time researching different programs or simply trying to understand their child’s school-related rights.
AFC’s free know-your-rights guides, tip sheets, and other resources can help you advocate successfully for your child.
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This tip sheet explains the high school admissions process in NYC and gives families tips for applying to public high schools.
This tip sheet explains the middle school admissions process in NYC and gives families tips for applying to public middle schools.
Suggested questions to ask your child’s teachers about how well they’re learning to read and write.
This tip sheet covers how to arrange and troubleshoot transportation services to school, including who is eligible for busing, accommodations, and what to do if there are problems.
This fact sheet for families of students with disabilities covers issues that typically come up at the start of the school year, such as what to do if a child does not yet have a school assignment or if the school assigned says they cannot serve the child’s needs.
Below are tips for how to troubleshoot and resolve some of the most frequent issues with transportation services for NYC students.
This fact sheet explains the right of parents who do not speak English to free translation and interpretation services in order to participate in their children’s education.
Special education should not be a bar to admission or participation in a gifted and talented program. A student can have special education needs and be gifted and talented at the same time. This guide has been written to help you work your way through the system if that’s the case for your child.
This fact sheet explains high school promotion and graduation requirements for ELLs and available accommodations.
Starting in September 2026, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) will offer a free early childhood care and education program for two-year-old children. 2-K will offer care for up to 10 hours a day for the full year. Enrollment will not depend on income, housing status, immigration status, disability, or other factors.
If your child was born in 2024, they are eligible for this new early care and education program.