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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 More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those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)

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    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

    Gaps in Social Workers for Students Living in Shelters
    Midsection of a girl sitting on the ground doing schoolwork. (Photo by Mary Taylor via Pexels)
  • Policy Report
    • Gaps in Social Workers for Students Living in Shelters

    This May 2018 report documents the number of New York City schools with high concentrations of students living in shelters that do not have a social worker focused on this population. AFC’s analysis shows that the Mayor’s proposed modest increase in funding falls far short of meeting the need, and calls on the City to double the number of school social workers focused on serving students living in shelters.

    May 24, 2018

    AFC, Members of the ARISE Coalition, and PIE Call for Increased Funding for School Accessibility in the 2019 City budget
    Young girl wearing glasses and a brown dress and using a walker. (Photo by Ortopediatri Çocuk Ortopedi Akademisi on Unsplash)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC, Members of the ARISE Coalition, and PIE Call for Increased Funding for School Accessibility in the 2019 City budget

    Members of the ARISE Coalition, which is coordinated by AFC, and Parents for Inclusive Education (PIE) wrote to Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Council, urging them to ensure that the final FY 2019 budget includes the City Council’s recommendation for an additional $125 million for school accessibility projects.

    May 15, 2018

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