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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 More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those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.
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    Still Disconnected: Persistently Low Attendance Rates for Students in Shelter
    Desks in an empty classroom. (Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay)
  • Issue Brief
    • Still Disconnected: Persistently Low Attendance Rates for Students in Shelter

    According to monthly attendance data released by the New York City Department of Education (DOE), students living in homeless shelters continued to have significantly higher rates of absenteeism than their permanently housed peers following the full reopening of schools in fall 2021, and attendance disparities remained larger than they were prior to the pandemic.

    May 18, 2022

    Statement in Response to Passage of Intro 150-A, Creating a Task Force on Transportation of Students in Temporary Housing
    School bus driving over the Brooklyn Bridge, seen from above. (Photo by Polina Kuzovkova on Unsplash)
  • Press Statement
    • Statement in Response to Passage of Intro 150-A, Creating a Task Force on Transportation of Students in Temporary Housing

    Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the New York City Council’s passage of Intro 150-A, creating a task force focused on the transportation of students in temporary housing.

    Nov 23, 2021

    Recommendations for the Next Administration to Address the Educational Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness
    Young girl wearing a sparkly backpack walks towards a school bus. (Photo by Angelov, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Agenda
  • Sign-On Letter
    • Recommendations for the Next Administration to Address the Educational Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness

    AFC joined more than 40 organizations in releasing recommendations calling on Mayor-elect Adams to take bold action to address the educational needs of students experiencing homelessness, and to overhaul the educational support system in shelters, starting by hiring 150 shelter-based DOE Community Coordinators, and launching an interagency initiative to tackle the educational barriers these students face.

    Nov 8, 2021

    Vision for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration
    Hands typing on a laptop. (Photo by wavebreak3, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Agenda
    • Vision for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration

    Mayor-elect Eric Adams will take office at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the longstanding inequities in our City’s schools. Based on our 50 years of on-the-ground experience helping students and families navigate the largest school system in the country and get the support they need to learn, we outline some of the most pressing challenges in public education — including those that pre-date COVID — where the incoming Mayor must be prepared to focus attention, energy, and resources.

    Nov 3, 2021

    AFC Submits Written Testimony in Support of Intro 1829-2019
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Submits Written Testimony in Support of Intro 1829-2019

    AFC submitted written testimony to the City Council Committee on General Welfare in strong support of Intro. 1829-2019, which would preclude the Department of Homeless Services from requiring parents to bring their children to shelter intake appointments and help ensure students do not have to miss school when their families apply for shelter.

    Oct 27, 2021

    AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the DOE’s Academic Recovery Plan for 2021-22
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the DOE’s Academic Recovery Plan for 2021-22

    AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) testified before the City Council Committee on Education on the continued work needed to strengthen the DOE’s academic recovery plans this year. While we appreciate that the City is using this funding for some important initiatives, we worry there is still inadequate detail about how the funding will be used, inadequate funding for key priorities, and too much discretion and responsibility left to individual schools that already have their hands full reopening schools and keeping school communities safe.

    Oct 27, 2021

    AFC Testifies on the DOE’s Use of Foundation Aid and Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding
    New York State capitol building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the DOE’s Use of Foundation Aid and Federal COVID-19 Relief Funding

    AFC testified before the New York State Senate Education Committee on the DOE’s use of increased state and federal education funding; specifically, how the funding is being used to meet the needs of students with disabilities, English Language Learners, and students experiencing homelessness—students who were hit particularly hard by the closure of schools.

    Oct 5, 2021

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