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.

More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula
  • Sign-On Letter

    • More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula

    Every child in New York State has the right to a sound, basic education—and providing such an education requires adequate and equitable funding. More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those who have the greatest needs.
    Desks facing a chalkboard in an empty classroom. (Photo by maroke, Adobe Stock)

    223 Results Found

    Filter By
    • Topic
    • Resource Type
    AFC Testifies on Mental Health in Schools
    New York State capitol building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Mental Health in Schools

    AFC testified before the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Education regarding the current state of health, mental health, and physical education programs, services, and instruction in New York State’s schools. Our testimony discusses the need for the expansion of school-based mental health services and evidence-based approaches to student behavior.

    Oct 23, 2018

    AFC Testifies on School Transportation
    New York City City Hall Building
  • 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

    The ARISE Coalition & PIE Call for Investments in School Accessibility in the FY 2020-2024 Capital Plan
    Side view portrait of smiling Black woman using a wheelchair. (Photo by Seventyfour, Adobe Stock)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • The ARISE Coalition & PIE Call for Investments in School Accessibility in the FY 2020-2024 Capital Plan

    Members of the ARISE Coalition (which is coordinated by AFC) and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio asking that the City include a major investment in the FY 2020-2024 School Construction Authority Five-Year Capital Plan to make at least one-third of schools accessible to students, parents, and teachers with physical disabilities.

    Sep 12, 2018

    AFC Comments on the Implementation of New York’s Approved ESSA Plan
    Students raising their hands in a classroom. (Photo by RDNE Stock project via Pexels)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on the Implementation of New York’s Approved ESSA Plan

    Advocates for Children of New York submitted comments to the New York State Education Department on proposed amendments to the regulations regarding New York’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system. Our comments discuss the proposed definition of “out-of-school suspension rate” as well as the State’s method for calculating chronic absenteeism.

    Aug 17, 2018

    AFC Comments on Proposed Amendments to Regulations about the Dignity for All Students Act
    Teen girl with rainbow-colored hair squats in the corner of a classroom, looking at the floor. (Photo by RDNE Stock Project via Pexels)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on Proposed Amendments to Regulations about the Dignity for All Students Act

    AFC submitted comments to the New York State Education Department in support of proposed amendments to regulations regarding the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). We appreciate NYSED’s efforts to clarify that DASA protects all aspects of gender identity and expression and provide suggestions for further clarifying and strengthening the language.

    Jul 21, 2018

    Load More
    Send us a message