Stack of books against a blurred background. (Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash)

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.

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AFC Comments on Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline
Pencil laying on an open spiral-bound notebook. (Photo by PNW Production via Pexels)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on Nondiscriminatory Administration of School Discipline

    AFC submitted public comments to the U.S. Department of Education on the exclusionary, punitive school discipline and police policies and practices faced by New York City public school students, the disproportionate impact these policies and practices have on Black and Brown students and students with disabilities, and promising alternative practices.

    Jul 23, 2021

    Police Response to Students in Emotional Crisis: A Call for Comprehensive Mental Health and Social-Emotional Support for Students in Police-Free Schools
    Silhouette of a male student walking down a row of books in a library. (Photo by Redd F on Unsplash)
  • Policy Report
    • Police Response to Students in Emotional Crisis: A Call for Comprehensive Mental Health and Social-Emotional Support for Students in Police-Free Schools

    This report explores data on police responses to more than 12,000 “child in crisis” interventions, where a student in emotional distress is removed from class and transported to the hospital for psychological evaluation. A disproportionate share of these interventions involved Black students, students attending District 75 schools, and students attending schools located in low-income communities of color. We call on the City to end the criminalization of students in emotional crisis by eliminating police from schools and investing in behavioral and mental health supports and services.

    Jun 3, 2021

    AFC’s COVID-19 Education Recovery Plan
    Two teenage girls with backpacks, one wearing a face mask, walk up a flight of stairs in a subway station. (Photo by Charlotte May via Pexels)
  • Policy Agenda
    • AFC’s COVID-19 Education Recovery Plan

    With the federal government having approved the largest one-time investment in education in our nation’s history, NYC needs an ambitious education initiative to pave the way to hope and opportunity for this generation of students. Such a plan must invest resources in academic support, mental health support, and outreach and engagement. It must be targeted to assist students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, including the provision of specialized instruction and support where needed. This plan outlines our recommendations for steps the City should take.

    Mar 12, 2021

    AFC Testifies on Proposed School Safety Bill Package
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Proposed School Safety Bill Package

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education in support of proposed legislation regulating the New York City Police Department’s response to students in emotional crisis within public schools, significantly limiting the use of handcuffs on students in emotional crisis, and to express concern about the need for a new vision of school safety, beyond merely transferring the School Safety Division from the NYPD to the Department of Education.

    Feb 18, 2021

    AFC Testifies on Examining Social-Emotional Learning and Support Staff in Schools
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Examining Social-Emotional Learning and Support Staff in Schools

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education’s hearing about the critical need for social-emotional and mental health support for students, and the City’s commitment to remove police from schools and craft a new vision of school safety that ensures all students are truly safe and supported.

    Nov 20, 2020

    AFC & Girls for Gender Equity Call for a Restorative Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 School Year
    High school teacher and students in a science classroom, wearing protective face masks. (Photo by Rich Legg, iStock)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC & Girls for Gender Equity Call for a Restorative Reopening Plan for the 2020-21 School Year

    Advocates for Children and Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) shared recommendations with Chancellor Carranza for a developing reopening plans are trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, grounded in restorative practices, and geared towards developing healing-centered school communities.

    Aug 28, 2020

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