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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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    AFC Comments on the Implementation of New York’s Approved ESSA Plan
    Students raising their hands in a classroom.
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Comments on the Implementation of New York’s Approved ESSA Plan

    Advocates for Children of New York submitted comments to the New York State Education Department on proposed amendments to the regulations regarding New York’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability system. Our comments discuss the proposed definition of “out-of-school suspension rate” as well as the State’s method for calculating chronic absenteeism.

    Aug 17, 2018

    AFC Testifies on Intro. No. 376-A, Establishing an Anti-Bullying Hotline and Mobile App
    Girl sitting at classroom desk and leaning towards another girl, whispering
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Intro. No. 376-A, Establishing an Anti-Bullying Hotline and Mobile App

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Youth Services regarding a proposal to establish an anti-bullying hotline and an anti-bullying mobile device application. AFC urges the City to invest in building positive, inclusive school climates by implementing anti-bullying training and funding whole-school evidence-based approaches.

    Apr 26, 2018

    Advocacy Strategies to Stop the School-to-Prison Pipeline: From Working with Localities to Litigation
    Close-up of an open book. (Photo by Bilakis via Pexels)
  • White Paper
    • Advocacy Strategies to Stop the School-to-Prison Pipeline: From Working with Localities to Litigation

    AFC presented this white paper at the 2018 national conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). It discusses approaches that work to positively support students, improve school climate, and reduce suspensions, referrals to law enforcement, and inappropriate removals to the psychiatric emergency room. The paper also discusses strategies to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline and the disparate impact on students with disabilities and students of color, including working collaboratively with school districts and localities, advocating to change laws, and litigation.

    Mar 10, 2018

    AFC Testifies on School Safety and Efforts to Improve School Climate
    Multiethnic group of elementary schoolers sitting on floor of library, listening a story.
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on School Safety and Efforts to Improve School Climate

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Public Safety regarding the NYPD’s role in school discipline and matters of mental health. We are calling for a realignment of City resources to reflect the critical need to appropriately support students’ social-emotional needs and address the striking racial disparities in police interventions.

    Nov 21, 2017

    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

    AFC Testifies on Preventing and Addressing Bullying
    Three teenage girls standing close together, looking at a smartphone
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Preventing and Addressing Bullying

    AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee offering several recommendations to prevent and address bullying behavior, including expanding whole-school trainings that improve school climate, better utilizing existing data, better utilizing Field Support Center personnel, increasing awareness of anti-bullying resources, and improving reporting.

    Oct 30, 2017

    AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2018 Preliminary Education Budget
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the New York City FY 2018 Preliminary Education Budget

    AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education on the fiscal year 2018 Preliminary Budget. We urge the Administration to include increased funding for DOE social workers for students living in homeless shelters. In addition, we request that the budget include additional resources to expand restorative practices and pilot a mental health support continuum in 20 high-needs schools.

    Mar 21, 2017

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    Description

    Responding to Proposed Changes to the U.S. Department of Education

    This proposed restructuring violates federal law and is the latest step in an ongoing effort to dismantle the Department of Education. Learn more about what this means.

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