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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.

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration
  • Policy Agenda

    • Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration

    Based on our experience helping thousands of NYC families each year, we urge the next Mayor to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights.
    Closeup of student holding a pencil in class

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    Children in Crisis: Police Response to Students in Emotional Distress
    Boy sits alone in a school hallway, his back against the lockers
  • Policy Report
    • Children in Crisis: Police Response to Students in Emotional Distress

    This report analyzes data reported by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) showing that Black students are significantly over-represented in NYPD “child in crisis” interventions – incidents involving students in emotional distress sent to the hospital for psychological evaluation. The brief also examines the NYPD’s use of handcuffs on students as young as 5 years old during these incidents between July 2016 and June 2017.

    Nov 2, 2017

    Empowering Parents So Children Succeed: A Toolkit to Support Parent Involvement in Education when their Children are in Foster Care
    A woman smiles at the camera while hugging a young boy.
  • Policy Report
    • Empowering Parents So Children Succeed: A Toolkit to Support Parent Involvement in Education when their Children are in Foster Care

    This report, released jointly by AFC and SCO Family of Services, provides recommendations for child welfare agencies as well as an easy-to-use toolkit to support parent involvement in education when their children are in foster care.

    Sep 29, 2017

    Missed Potential: English Language Learners Under-Represented in New York City Career and Technical Education Programs
    Three students in a classroom working on a technical project.
  • Policy Report
    • Missed Potential: English Language Learners Under-Represented in New York City Career and Technical Education Programs

    This data brief analyzes city and state data showing that English Language Learners (ELLs) are under-represented in career and technical education (CTE) programs at New York City high schools. The report makes recommendations for steps the DOE can take to address barriers for ELLs.

    Jul 24, 2017

    Diploma Coalition Makes Recommendations Regarding Performance-Based Assessments
  • Issue Brief
    • Diploma Coalition Makes Recommendations Regarding Performance-Based Assessments

    The Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma released an issue brief summarizing the benefits of performance-based assessments (PBAs) and guiding principles that may inform development in New York State. The Coalition supports the Board of Regents’ request for $8 million in the 2017–2018 budget to pilot PBAs as alternatives to Regents exams.

    Feb 22, 2017

    Obstacles and Opportunities: Creating Career and Technical Education Pathways for Students with Disabilities
    A boy repairing a motherboard
  • Policy Report
    • Obstacles and Opportunities: Creating Career and Technical Education Pathways for Students with Disabilities

    This December 2016 report analyzes access to high school-level career and technical education (CTE) programs for students with disabilities in New York State. Based on data findings and interviews with professionals, special education advocates, and parents of students with disabilities, the paper makes recommendations for addressing barriers to CTE.

    Dec 8, 2016

    Discipline for Students with Disabilities: Support Rather than Exclusion
    Close-up of an open book. (Photo by Bilakis via Pexels)
  • White Paper
    • Discipline for Students with Disabilities: Support Rather than Exclusion

    AFC presented this white paper at the 2016 national conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). The paper discusses the rights of students with disabilities to behavioral supports, and individual and systemic advocacy strategies that provide support for students with disabilities instead of excluding them from school.

    Mar 14, 2016

    A is for All: Meeting the Literacy Needs of Students with and without Disabilities in the New York City Public Schools
    Two young girls sit back-to-back in a library, each reading a book.
  • Policy Report
    • A is for All: Meeting the Literacy Needs of Students with and without Disabilities in the New York City Public Schools

    This report documents the need for urgent and sustained action to improve literacy levels for low-income students with disabilities and prepare schools to teach reading effectively for all students. It reviews research and case stories indicating that students with a wide range of disabilities are capable of learning to read if they receive appropriate instruction, discusses the key elements for teaching reading effectively, highlights a number of promising programs in NYC, and provides recommendations for implementing systemic change.

    Mar 10, 2016

    Creating CTE Programs that Benefit Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners 
    Two teenage students looking at a teacher's open laptop while standing in a lab.
  • Policy Report
    • Creating CTE Programs that Benefit Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners 

    In February 2016, the Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma, coordinated by AFC, issued an updated policy brief identifying barriers to CTE instruction for students with disabilities and ELLs and providing recommendations to NYSED and the Board of Regents for creating accessible CTE programs that will benefit these students.

    Feb 12, 2016

    Civil Rights Suspended: An Analysis of New York City Charter School Discipline Policies
    An empty school desk.
  • Policy Report
    • Civil Rights Suspended: An Analysis of New York City Charter School Discipline Policies

    This February 2015 report describes findings made from AFC’s review of 164 New York City charter school discipline policies obtained through Freedom of Information Law requests. A significant number of City charter schools have discipline policies that fail to meet the legal requirements, leading to violations of students’ and parents’ civil rights. The report includes recommendations for state legislators to consider as they discuss raising the cap on charter schools and ensuring that charter schools serve high-needs students.

    Feb 12, 2015

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    The 2026 Transition Summit

    On Saturday, November 7th at John Jay College, NYC families of students with IEPs or 504 Plans can meet with nearly 100 providers and organizations and get personalized guidance about life after high school—all in one place.

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