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
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 More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those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.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Public Safety regarding the NYPD’s role in school discipline and matters of mental health. We are calling for a realignment of City resources to reflect the critical need to appropriately support students’ social-emotional needs and address the striking racial disparities in police interventions.
AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee offering several recommendations to prevent and address bullying behavior, including expanding whole-school trainings that improve school climate, better utilizing existing data, better utilizing Field Support Center personnel, increasing awareness of anti-bullying resources, and improving reporting.
AFC submitted written testimony to the New York State Assembly Committee on Education about the need to increase the number of accessible school options for students, teachers, and family members with mobility, hearing, and vision needs.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education and Committee on General Welfare about support for students who are homeless. We are calling on the City to ensure there is high-level leadership on this issue, expand the number of DOE social workers for these students, and devote additional resources to address the significant challenges faced by the rising number of students who are homeless.
AFC submitted comments to the United States Department of Education urging the Department to maintain regulations and non-regulatory guidance that delineate protections for students, especially students who have historically been marginalized or discriminated against.
AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee in support of Gender Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) in schools and recommending that every school post the contact information for its Respect For All Liaison on the school’s website.
AFC submitted comments on SUNY’s proposed regulations regarding charter school teacher certification. While we believe there is important work to be done across the State to strengthen teacher certification pathways, address shortages of qualified teachers in certain areas, and ensure there is an excellent teacher in every classroom, we are concerned that the proposed regulations would run counter to these goals and would violate state law.
