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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Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the possibility of a systemwide shutdown of New York City’s schools.
Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s suspension data report for the 2019-20 school year.
Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s special education data report for the 2019-20 school year.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of NYC’s more than 200,000 students with disabilities, many of whom cannot engage in remote instruction or services independently and many of whom simply are not getting what they need to learn.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Health regarding the reopening of City schools. As the City continues working on the health and safety measures needed to protect school communities from COVID-19 this year, the City must also redouble its outreach efforts and provide individualized support to families of students who are not regularly engaging in remote learning.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Technology and Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises about the digital divide’s consequences for public education. Our testimony urges the City to ensure that every student has the fast, reliable connectivity they need in order to participate in remote learning this year and access educational information in the long term.
AFC joins 30 organizations in calling on Mayor de Blasio to address the urgent educational needs of students who are homeless as the 2020-21 school year begins.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to Mayor de Blasio’s announcement delaying the first day of school.
AFC joined more than 60 organizations to call on New York State to issue a moratorium on suspensions for the 2020-2021 school year to ensure every child has the best possible chance to makeup for lost classroom time, and for schools to reopen after a traumatic year in a manner that promotes equity and healing.
AFC submitted comments urging the New York State Education Department to reject proposed regulations that would allow non-attorneys to serve as hearing officers in special education cases.