stack of multi-colored notebooks

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.

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration
  • Policy Agenda

    • Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration

    Based on our experience helping thousands of NYC families each year, we urge the next Mayor to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights.
    Closeup of student holding a pencil in class

    84 Results Found

    Filter By
    • Topic
    • Resource Type
    AFC Testifies on Access to Early Childhood Education Programs
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Access to Early Childhood Education Programs

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education on access to early childhood education programs, including for children with disabilities, children in temporary housing, and children who are undocumented. The City is currently relying on $88 million in federal COVID-19 stimulus funding this year to fund preschool special education initiatives—funding that will be expiring in the fall of 2024 and needs to be sustained.

    Feb 15, 2023

    AFC Testifies on Needed Support for Migrant Students and Families
    Happy little boy with backpack holding hands with dad, walking home after school
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Needed Support for Migrant Students and Families

    AFC testified before the New York City Council about the need to better support immigrant students and families amidst the recent influx of migrant families, including by increasing access to bilingual staff and programs, ensuring students get needed special education services, bolstering Transfer High School programs for older immigrant youth, and improving language access and communication with families.

    Dec 20, 2022

    AFC Testifies on Persistent Issues With NYC School Bus Transportation Services
    Yellow school bus
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Persistent Issues With NYC School Bus Transportation Services

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigation and the Committee on Education regarding persistent, long-standing issues with NYC school bus transportation services. The DOE must take action to develop the systems and procedures necessary to run an effective transportation system that gets all students to school every day.

    Nov 21, 2022

    AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the New York City FY 2023 Executive Budget
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC & the ARISE Coalition Testify on the New York City FY 2023 Executive Budget

    AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) testified before the City Council Committee on Finance regarding the FY 23 Executive Budget, urging the City to invest in targeted initiatives to support English Language Learners, students with disabilities, students who are homeless or in foster care, and students with mental health needs.

    May 25, 2022

    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

    Load More
    Send us a message