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 Testifies on the New York City Fiscal Year 2024 Preliminary Budget – General Welfare
New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the New York City Fiscal Year 2024 Preliminary Budget – General Welfare

    AFC testified before New York City Council Committee on General Welfare regarding the need to extend funding for Promise NYC, a crucial initiative that increases access to early childhood programs for children who are undocumented. Without action by the City, funding for this initiative will expire in June, leaving hundreds of children at risk of being turned away from their program.

    Mar 13, 2023

    AFC Testifies on Access to Early Childhood Education Programs
    New York City City Hall Building
  • 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
    New York City City Hall Building
  • 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

    More than Translation: Multi-Faceted Solutions for Communicating with NYC’s Immigrant Families
    Parent holds a sign at a rally reading 'Quiero participar! I want to participate!'
  • Issue Brief
    • More than Translation: Multi-Faceted Solutions for Communicating with NYC’s Immigrant Families

    This June 2022 data analysis estimates that more than 329,000 public school students do not have a parent who speaks English fluently and calls for investments in a permanent, central system for immigrant family communications at the Department of Education (DOE). The analysis uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) to illustrates the need for multi-faceted approaches to communication that go beyond making translated documents available online.

    Jun 9, 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

    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 & 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

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