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.

More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula
  • Sign-On Letter

    • More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula

    Every child in New York State has the right to a sound, basic education—and providing such an education requires adequate and equitable funding. More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those who have the greatest needs.
    Desks facing a chalkboard in an empty classroom. (Photo by maroke, Adobe Stock)

    170 Results Found

    Filter By
    • Topic
    • Resource Type
    Building on Potential: Next Steps to Improve Educational Outcomes for Students in Foster Care
    Students writing in their notebooks. (Photo by Katerina Holmes from Pexels)
  • Policy Report
    • Building on Potential: Next Steps to Improve Educational Outcomes for Students in Foster Care

    This January 2023 report provides an overview of the current — and dire — state of education for students in foster care in New York City. The report analyzes City data obtained through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request and makes recommendations for how the City can better support students in foster care now that the DOE’s new foster care team is up and running.

    Jan 25, 2023

    AFC Responds to the Release of 2022 New York State English Language Arts Test Scores
    Open book lying on the table in the public library. (Photo by monticellllo, Adobe Stock)
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Responds to the Release of 2022 New York State English Language Arts Test Scores

    Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the release of the 2022 New York State English Language Arts (ELA) test scores for New York City, showing that only 36% of Black and Hispanic students, 18% of students with disabilities, and 13% of English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades 3–8 are reading proficiently.

    Sep 28, 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

    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

    Reaching Every Reader: The Path Forward
    Illustration of a stack of book on a blue background. Report title is overlaid.
  • Policy Report
    • Reaching Every Reader: The Path Forward

    This report summarizes key takeaways from the December 2021 Literacy Summit—a day-long virtual event jointly hosted by AFC, the NYC Department of Education (DOE), and the ARISE Coalition—and makes clear recommendations for improving reading instruction in New York City schools. The report was accompanied by a Call to Collective Action signed by 70 organizations.

    May 2, 2022

    Load More
    Send us a message