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 proposal for expanding graduation pathways for all students discussed at today’s Board of Regents meeting.
AFC submitted comments on the New York City Department of Education’s Proposed Community Schools Policy, which we view as an important vehicle for creating shared language and expectations around the City’s Community Schools Initiative.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) both testified before the City Council Committee on Education about the new DOE structure for supporting schools and families.
AFC and the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) jointly submitted comments in response to the New York City Department of Education’s proposal to amend Chancellor’s Regulation A-101 relating to student admissions, discharges, and transfers.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Finance to request that the final budget include increased funding for Committee on Special Education staff and increased funding for progressive discipline support.
Today AFC is testifying before the New York City Council Committees on Public Safety and Education, and the Sub-Committee on Non-Public Schools, regarding school climate and discipline. AFC supports the passage of both Intro. No. 730, amending the Student Safety Act, and Intro. No. 719, requiring the DOE to report on the ratio of School Safety Officers (SSOs) to Guidance Counselors in each school.
AFC submitted testimony to the City Council Education Committee on resolutions regarding school funding, the charter school cap, and parents’ ability to opt out of standardized tests.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition, which is coordinated by AFC, each testified before the City Council Education Committee about the education proposals in the Fiscal Year 2016 Preliminary Budget.
AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee about the problem of overcrowding in schools and about the charter school cap. We believe it is premature to raise the cap on the number of charter schools before putting laws and practices in place that protect students’ civil rights in the context of school discipline and ensure that charter schools serve high-needs populations.
AFC testified at the DOE Office of Safety and Youth Development hearing on the draft school discipline code for 2014-2015. Our testimony focuses on the DOE’s revision to Infraction Code B21 and the importance of addressing the behavioral needs of Pre-K students.