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Policy Resources

AFC works to change education policy so that the public school system serves all children effectively. We publish policy reports and data analyses, testify at the City and State levels, speak out in the press to bring attention to the challenges facing the students and families we serve, and join with other advocates, parents, youth, and educators to call for change.

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration
  • Policy Agenda

    • Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration

    Based on our experience helping thousands of NYC families each year, we urge the next Mayor to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights.
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    AFC Writes to Mayor Adams Regarding Planned Education Budget Cuts
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  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Writes to Mayor Adams Regarding Planned Education Budget Cuts

    AFC sent a letter to Mayor Adams emphasizing, in advance of education budget cuts being planned for November, that the City’s obligation to uphold students’ legal rights remains unchanged. As the budget process moves forward, the City must ensure that its choices do not impede its ability to uphold students’ rights and comply with federal and state law, including special education law.

    Oct 16, 2023

    AFC Testifies on Intro. 542
    high school student holding used spiral notebook
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Intro. 542

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education, Committee on General Welfare, and the Committee on Criminal Justice regarding educational programming in detention facilities and Intro 542, which requires DOE, ACS and DOC to report on educational programming for students in court-ordered settings.

    Oct 13, 2023

    Response to the Passage of Intro 857-A, Expanding NYCPS Data Reporting Requirements to Include Students in Foster Care
    Row of colored chalk.
  • Press Statement
    • Response to the Passage of Intro 857-A, Expanding NYCPS Data Reporting Requirements to Include Students in Foster Care

    Today, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the New York City Council’s passage of Intro 857-A, expanding disaggregated data in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) reporting to include metrics on students in foster care.

    Oct 5, 2023

    AFC Testifies on Intro. 941
    Teacher and toddler sitting at a low table, playing with a math puzzle game
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Intro. 941

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Women and Gender Equity regarding Int. No. 941-2023, and the importance of early childhood education and care in New York City.

    Sep 21, 2023

    AFC Comments on Proposed Amendments to Chancellor’s Regulation A-412
    View into a classroom from a school hallway.
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on Proposed Amendments to Chancellor’s Regulation A-412

    AFC submitted comments on the proposed amendments to Chancellor’s Regulation A-412 to better protect students from unnecessary and traumatizing police involvement and provide clear guidance to school staff and School Safety Division (SSD)/NYPD officers to promote safe, respectful, and supportive learning environments for students.

    Aug 24, 2023

    Access (Still) Denied: An Update on the Physical Inaccessibility of New York City Public Schools
    a public school where the entrance is at the top of a flight of stairs
  • Policy Report
    • Access (Still) Denied: An Update on the Physical Inaccessibility of New York City Public Schools

    This interactive report finds that only 31.1% of schools are fully accessible to students, parents, educators, and community members with physical disabilities as of the start of the 2023-24 school year. The report calls on the City to invest $1.25 billion—roughly 5-6% of its capital budget—in the forthcoming five-year Capital Plan to improve school accessibility.

    Aug 23, 2023

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    Celebrate AFC's 2026 Spring Benefit!

    On Tuesday May 5, 2026, join us to honor John & Amanda Waldron and AFC client Aidan Parrish

    Learn more and buy tickets