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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Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, issued the following statement in response to the President’s Executive Order seeking to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
Today, AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) are testifying at the New York City Council Committee on Education’s Preliminary Budget hearing.
Excellent public schools are essential to making New York City an attractive place to live and raise a family and to ensuring a strong foundation for our City’s future. Regardless of what happens at the federal level in the years ahead, it will be essential for New York City Public Schools to remain focused on the critical task of ensuring all young people receive the support they need to learn and thrive. Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights.
AFC submitted testimony for the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2025–26 State Health Budget, urging the State to invest in Early Intervention, as well as on the child care proposals in the Executive Budget: Human Services.
AFC, the Transition Alliance, and the ARISE Coalition testified before the City Council Committee on Education on Thursday, January 30th, 2025, on the need to improve special education services. The testimony called attention to the shortages of preschool special education classrooms and services, a lack of effective reading support for students struggling, inadequate behavioral health support, challenges with bus services, and more.
Today, AFC is testifying at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2025–2026 Executive State Budget Proposal for Elementary and Secondary Education.
In response to the release of Mayor Adams’ Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
Today, AFC is submitting written comments for the State Early Intervention Coordinating Council meeting, calling on Governor Hochul to move forward immediately with the 5% payment increase for in-person Early Intervention services promised last January to help address the shortage of service providers.
AFC submitted comments about the proposal to amend section 200.5 of the Regulations of the Commissioner, regarding the ability of parents to file due process complaints seeking the implementation of services recommended on an Individualized Education Services Plan (“IESP”).
Today, AFC is testifying at a hearing of the New York State Education Department Dyslexia and Dysgraphia Task Force. Our testimony focuses on screening and intervention, emphasizing that moving the needle on literacy requires a comprehensive approach and a substantial and sustained commitment of resources.