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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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
    New York City City Hall Building
  • 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

    AFC Submits Testimony on Policing in Schools
    Blue light on a police car. (Photo by fotosr52, Adobe Stock)
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Submits Testimony on Policing in Schools

    AFC submitted testimony to the New York Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the policies and practices of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Our testimony focuses on how arrests, summonses, and handcuffing of students in New York City disproportionately impacts students who are Black or who have disabilities and makes recommendations to address these significant issues.

    Mar 20, 2017

    AFC Testifies on the Draft School Discipline Code for 2017
    Tweed Courthouse, the headquarters of the Department of Education.
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on the Draft School Discipline Code for 2017

    AFC testified before the NYC Department of Education Office of Safety and Youth Development on the draft citywide discipline code, urging the DOE to continue to reform our school disciplinary system to help students stay in school and reduce the disproportionately high rates of suspension experienced by Black students and students with disabilities.

    Jan 25, 2017

    AFC Supports Adoption and Funding of Recommendations by the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline
    Elementary school student sitting at desk, head on hands. (Photo by Cavan for Adobe, Adobe Stock)
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Supports Adoption and Funding of Recommendations by the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline

    Today, the City announced its intention to implement the recommendation of the Mayoral Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline to modify the DOE’s discipline code to end suspensions for students in kindergarten through second grade and increase support for positive behavior interventions in schools. AFC staunchly supports the elimination of suspensions for these students and the use of a developmentally sound approach to address the behavior of young children instead.

    Jul 21, 2016

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