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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AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Immigration regarding the city’s plans for addressing federal immigration authorities’ requests for access to school buildings and student records.
AFC testified at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2017–2018 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget proposal, urging legislators to invest in education initiatives such as improved access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students with disabilities and English Language Learners, the development of performance-based assessments, positive approaches to discipline, and pre-kindergarten.
The following is a statement by Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, in response to the release of graduation rate data for the class of 2016.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs). CTE is shown to help keep at-risk students – such as ELLs and students with disabilities – engaged and on-track for graduation; but while students with disabilities and ELLs generally do well in the city’s CTE programs, both groups are underrepresented among CTE students.
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.
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 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 Project Director Abja Midha testified at the New York City Council Committee on Education hearing on English Language Learners (ELLs). In our testimony, we raised concerns about the shortage of bilingual program options for ELLs, particularly in languages other than Spanish.
AFC testified on the proposed state education budget for 2015–2016, urging the Legislature to increase funding for pre-K, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and to support English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant students; reject the Executive Budget special education waiver proposal; modify the charter school proposal to ensure that charter schools serve high-needs populations; support the proposal to establish regional rates for Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) services; and increase education funding overall.