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.
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AFC submitted comments to the draft ACS-DOE joint policy on the reporting and investigating of educational neglect.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Women and Gender Equity about the related issues of a shortage of preschool special education programs, and the problem of Learning Bridges child care programs excluding children with disabilities.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare on the City’s progress toward advancing the recommendations of the Interagency Foster Care Task Force, including the three recommendations focused specifically on education, and the need for DOE staff focused on the unique needs of this population.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education’s hearing about the critical need for social-emotional and mental health support for students, and the City’s commitment to remove police from schools and craft a new vision of school safety that ensures all students are truly safe and supported.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of NYC’s more than 200,000 students with disabilities, many of whom cannot engage in remote instruction or services independently and many of whom simply are not getting what they need to learn.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Health regarding the reopening of City schools. As the City continues working on the health and safety measures needed to protect school communities from COVID-19 this year, the City must also redouble its outreach efforts and provide individualized support to families of students who are not regularly engaging in remote learning.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Technology and Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises about the digital divide’s consequences for public education. Our testimony urges the City to ensure that every student has the fast, reliable connectivity they need in order to participate in remote learning this year and access educational information in the long term.
AFC submitted comments urging the New York State Education Department to reject proposed regulations that would allow non-attorneys to serve as hearing officers in special education cases.
Advocates for Children and Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) shared recommendations with Chancellor Carranza for a developing reopening plans are trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, grounded in restorative practices, and geared towards developing healing-centered school communities.
AFC’s testimony urged the State to reject proposed amendments to Sections 200.1 and 200.5 of Title 8 NYCRR that would allow non-attorneys to serve as hearing officers in special education cases.