Stack of books against a blurred background. (Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash)

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.
    Closeup of student holding a pencil in class

    186 Results Found

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    AFC Testifies on the New York City Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Education Budget
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the New York City Fiscal Year 2020 Preliminary Education Budget

    AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education on the importance of increasing funding for several education priorities, including school social workers, direct mental health support for students, educational support for students who are homeless and students in foster care, and preschool special education programs.

    Mar 20, 2019

    AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the Provision of Special Education Services
    Young Black girl sitting at a table with other students and working on an assignment
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the Provision of Special Education Services

    AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) both testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding the provision of special education services. The City must do more to extend the vision of equity and excellence in education to students with disabilities and to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities are considered and addressed in every DOE policy decision.

    Feb 25, 2019

    AFC Comments on Graduation Participation for Students with Disabilities Receiving Non-Diploma Credentials
    Two teenagers walk up the steps of a school, arms around one another.
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on Graduation Participation for Students with Disabilities Receiving Non-Diploma Credentials

    AFC submitted public comment to the New York State Education Department on a proposed amendment to the regulation about the right of students with disabilities receiving SACC and CDOS credentials to participate in graduation ceremonies and activities. We urged NYSED to require schools to inform families that these students have the right to stay in school through age 21 or until they earn a diploma, regardless of their participation in graduation activities.

    Dec 3, 2018

    AFC Testifies on Busing for Students with Disabilities
    Cropped image of yellow school bus
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Busing for Students with Disabilities

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committees on Education, Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, and Transportation about the City’s Preparation for and Response to Winter Storm Avery. Our testimony focused on the experiences of students with disabilities on school buses during the snowstorm and the importance of passing legislation to provide parents with access to real-time GPS data for their children’s school buses.

    Nov 29, 2018

    AFC Testifies on School Transportation
    Side of a yellow school bus
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on School Transportation

    Advocates for Children testified before the City Council Committee on Education about the importance of improving the school transportation system, especially for students with disabilities, students in foster care, and students in temporary housing, and in support of a bill to provide real-time GPS bus location data to parents.

    Oct 16, 2018

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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