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 to the Rockefeller Institute of Government about the state Foundation Aid education funding formula. New York State must revise the formula to meet the needs of today’s schools and students, including students who need the most support.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the release of the New York State English Language Arts test scores for New York City students
Today, AFC is submitting comments regarding the proposed amendments to Chancellor’s Regulation A-411, and ways to further strengthen A-411 to emphasize that schools must support students, de-escalate behavior, and not use punitive measures – such as calling 911 – to respond to students in emotional crisis.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the announcement of the Fiscal Year 2025 city budget agreement.
Today, AFC is testifying before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding Intro. 266, establishing a bullying prevention task force; Intro. 399, requiring reporting on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; Intro. 733, requiring reporting on Career and Technical Education; and Intro. 771, requiring distribution of information on interpretation services.
Today, AFC is submitting testimony to the New York City Council Committee on General Welfare regarding Intro 123-2024, which would preclude DHS from requiring a child’s presence when a family applies or reapplies for shelter.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the New York State Education Department (SED)’s proposal for implementing the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, as presented at today’s Board of Regents meeting.
This article, published in Volume 57 of Family Law Quarterly, adapts AFC’s 2023 report Building on Potential for a national audience. It provides a broad overview of the state of education for students in the foster system in New York City as of the 2020–21 school year, makes recommendations for how municipalities can better support students in foster care, and highlights recent promising practices from New York City and elsewhere.
Today, AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) are testifying before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Finance regarding the FY 2025 Executive Budget and the FY 2025–2029 Capital Plan. Our testimony calls on the City to sustain funding for several critical programs that are still on the chopping block and to invest $1.25B to make more schools accessible.
AFC submitted testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Finance; Committee on Health; Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction; and Committee on Hospitals regarding the need to sustain funding for the Mental Health Continuum.