AFC testified before the New York City Council Committees on Education and Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Disability Services about the need to make certain that our public schools are prepared to provide all students, including those with dyslexia and other disabilities, with appropriate, evidence-based literacy instruction.
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
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 More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those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.223 Results Found
AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee about the City’s Fiscal Year 2017 Preliminary Budget, calling on the Administration and City Council to increase funding to address school climate and to support students experiencing homelessness.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on General Welfare regarding transportation and support for students experiencing homelessness.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Disability Services regarding City students’ behavioral and mental health needs.
AFC testified at a New York City Council Committee on Higher Education oversight hearing on teacher training in New York City’s post-secondary institutions, emphasizing the need to better prepare new teachers to support the needs of students who are struggling to learn to read and students with behavioral challenges.
AFC submitted comments on the New York City Department of Education’s Proposed Community Schools Policy, which we view as an important vehicle for creating shared language and expectations around the City’s Community Schools Initiative.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) both testified before the City Council Committee on Education about the new DOE structure for supporting schools and families.
AFC and the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) jointly submitted comments in response to the New York City Department of Education’s proposal to amend Chancellor’s Regulation A-101 relating to student admissions, discharges, and transfers.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Finance to request that the final budget include increased funding for Committee on Special Education staff and increased funding for progressive discipline support.