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 regarding the New York State Education Department (NYSED) proposal to amend section 200.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner regarding extensions in special education due process hearings and related procedures.
This research brief, prepared by AFC on behalf of the Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma, summarizes the research literature on exit exams and calls on New York State to decouple Regents exams from high school graduation requirements.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education in support of Intro. 857, to expand the NYC Department of Education’s data reporting requirements to include metrics on students in foster care, and Intro. 121, to require the DOE to report annually on therapeutic crisis intervention training in schools.
The June 2023 brief shows the urgent need to reject proposed cuts and provide targeted investments to support immigrant students and families, including the more than 18,000 new students in temporary housing—most of whom are recently arrived immigrants—who have enrolled in New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) in the past year.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Immigration and Committee on Women and Gender Equity regarding early childhood education, calling on the City to extend funding for Promise NYC in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
AFC joined 16 organizations to call on lawmakers to oppose the amended version of S.1040-A. The proposed bill fails to make necessary changes to current law to reduce the disparate impact of punitive school discipline policies upon students of color.
This June 2023 data analysis shows that 37% of all preschoolers with disabilities—a total 9,800 children—went the entire 2021–22 school year without receiving at least one of the types of services the DOE was legally required to provide, a systemic violation of students’ rights. The report analyzes DOE data, which likely significantly understate the magnitude of the problem, and makes recommendations for needed changes moving forward.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance regarding the FY 2024 Executive Budget, speaking out against proposed budget cuts.
AFC testified before the New York State Senate Committees on Education and New York City Education in strong support of the Judith Kaye Solutions Not Suspensions (SNS) Act (A. 5691/S. 1040). Our testimony discusses data and reports illustrating the harm, and civil rights crisis, from exclusionary discipline disproportionately applied to certain student populations.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, issued the following statement in response to the Chancellor’s announced changes to literacy instruction in New York City Public Schools.