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.
171 Results Found
AFC, Members of the ARISE Coalition, and PIE Call for Increased Funding for School Accessibility in the 2019 City budget
Members of the ARISE Coalition, which is coordinated by AFC, and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) wrote to Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Council, urging them to ensure that the final FY 2019 budget includes the City Council’s recommendation for an additional $125 million for school accessibility projects.
AFC Testifies on NYC’s Support for Immigrant Parents of Children Ages 0-5
AFC testified before the City Council Immigration Committee about the importance of addressing barriers that immigrant families face in accessing preschool special education evaluations and other early childhood education programs.
AFC Comments on Child Care Programs
AFC submitted comments to the New York City Board of Health on proposed regulations regarding child care, with a focus on children who are homeless and children with developmental delays or disabilities.
AFC Testifies on the School Building Challenge
AFC testified before the City Council Committees on Education, Finance, and Land Use about the need to increase resources to make more NYC schools accessible to students, families, and staff with physical disabilities.
AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2019 Preliminary Capital Budget
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding the Fiscal Year 2019 Capital Budget, calling for increased funding for improving school accessibility.
AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2019 Preliminary Education Budget
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding the Fiscal Year 2019 Preliminary Budget, calling for increased funding for support for students in temporary housing, busing for students in foster care, and school climate initiatives.
AFC Testifies on Community and Renewal Schools
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education at a hearing on community schools, renewal schools, and a special education reporting bill.
Children in Crisis: Police Response to Students in Emotional Distress
This report analyzes data reported by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) showing that Black students are significantly over-represented in NYPD “child in crisis” interventions – incidents involving students in emotional distress sent to the hospital for psychological evaluation. The brief also examines the NYPD’s use of handcuffs on students as young as 5 years old during these incidents between July 2016 and June 2017.
Response to Release of Special Education Data for the 2016–17 School Year
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the New York City Department of Education’s annual report of information regarding students receiving special education services pursuant to Local Law 27.