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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Access (Still) Denied: An Update on the Physical Inaccessibility of New York City Public Schools
a public school where the entrance is at the top of a flight of stairs
  • Policy Report
    • Access (Still) Denied: An Update on the Physical Inaccessibility of New York City Public Schools

    This interactive report finds that only 31.1% of schools are fully accessible to students, parents, educators, and community members with physical disabilities as of the start of the 2023-24 school year. The report calls on the City to invest $1.25 billion—roughly 5-6% of its capital budget—in the forthcoming five-year Capital Plan to improve school accessibility.

    Aug 23, 2023

    Falling Short: NYC’s Failure to Provide Mandated Services for Preschoolers with Disabilities
    A female occupational therapist works with a young boy, using play-doh to work on the boy's gross motor skills. (Photo by FatCamera, iStock)
  • Issue Brief
    • Falling Short: NYC’s Failure to Provide Mandated Services for Preschoolers with Disabilities

    This June 2023 data analysis shows that 37% of all preschoolers with disabilities—a total 9,800 children—went the entire 2021–22 school year without receiving at least one of the types of services the DOE was legally required to provide, a systemic violation of students’ rights. The report analyzes DOE data, which likely significantly understate the magnitude of the problem, and makes recommendations for needed changes moving forward.

    Jun 6, 2023

    AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2024 Preliminary Health & Mental Health Budget
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2024 Preliminary Health & Mental Health Budget

    AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction and the Committee on Health on the need for school-based social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health services, and for extending funding for the Mental Health Continuum, which will expire in June.

    Mar 24, 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 Persistent Issues With NYC School Bus Transportation Services
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Persistent Issues With NYC School Bus Transportation Services

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Oversight and Investigation and the Committee on Education regarding persistent, long-standing issues with NYC school bus transportation services. The DOE must take action to develop the systems and procedures necessary to run an effective transportation system that gets all students to school every day.

    Nov 21, 2022

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