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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Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following statement in response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s special education data report for the 2021–22 school year.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education regarding the FY 24 preliminary budget, urging the City to extend funding for education initiatives left out of the preliminary budget and invest in initiatives to support the students with the greatest needs.
AFC testified before New York City Council Committee on General Welfare regarding the need to extend funding for Promise NYC, a crucial initiative that increases access to early childhood programs for children who are undocumented. Without action by the City, funding for this initiative will expire in June, leaving hundreds of children at risk of being turned away from their program.
AFC testified before the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2023–2024 Executive Budget Health Proposal regarding the need for a rate increase for Early Intervention (EI) in the 2023–2024 budget. The Executive Budget proposal does not include any increase or cost-of-living adjustment for EI providers, whose rates today are lower than they were 20 years ago or take any other steps to help address the State’s systemic failure to provide young children with timely access to their legally mandated EI services.
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.
AFC testified at the New York State Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2023–2024 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget proposal, supporting the historic increase in Foundation Aid and urging legislators to work with the Governor to modify the budget proposal including by increasing funding for preschool special education programs, support for English Language Learners, and school-based behavioral and mental health supports.
AFC testified before the New York City Council on Education regarding barriers to admissions for students from historically marginalized communities, and supporting the creation of a bullying prevention task force by strengthening Int. 0338-2022 to add parents and students with lived experience of bullying as required members of the task force and paid stipends for their time.
This January 2023 report provides an overview of the current — and dire — state of education for students in foster care in New York City. The report analyzes City data obtained through a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request and makes recommendations for how the City can better support students in foster care now that the DOE’s new foster care team is up and running.
The January 2023 issue brief highlights the need for sustained investments to support education initiatives funded with one-time federal COVID-19 stimulus dollars after that funding expires.
Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the release of the City’s Fiscal Year 2024 preliminary budget.