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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.

More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula
  • Sign-On Letter

    • More than 115 Organizations Call for Changes to New York State’s School Funding Formula

    Every child in New York State has the right to a sound, basic education—and providing such an education requires adequate and equitable funding. More than 115 organizations are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature to revamp New York’s outdated school funding formula to ensure schools have the resources necessary to provide a high-quality education to all students, with particular attention to those who have the greatest needs.
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    Dead Ends: The Need for More Pathways to Graduation for Over-Age, Under-Credited Students in New York City
    Older male student writing on a table at the front of a classroom. (Photo by Jeswin Thomas from Pexels)
  • Policy Report
    • Dead Ends: The Need for More Pathways to Graduation for Over-Age, Under-Credited Students in New York City

    An estimated 138,000 New York City students are over-age and under-credited and are out of school or at-risk for dropping out. The New York City Department of Education began creating new programming specifically for these students, but some students are left with dead ends under the current system. This briefing paper examines the ability of the new schools to meet the instructional needs of English Language Learners (ELLs), students with special education needs, students who are older with few or no credits, and students who are pregnant and parenting.

    Dec 10, 2007

    Transitioning to Nowhere: An Analysis of the Planning and Provision of Transition Services to Students with Disabilities in New York City
    Principal talking with teenage boy while sitting in office. (Photo by Cavan for Adobe, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Report
    • Transitioning to Nowhere: An Analysis of the Planning and Provision of Transition Services to Students with Disabilities in New York City

    Approximately 13,000 students with disabilities exit the New York City public school system each year. This report examines the efforts of the NYC Department of Education to prepare these youth for independent living, vocational training, employment, higher education, and other post-secondary opportunities.

    Sep 1, 2007

    School Year Filled with Missed Communications: Despite Chancellor’s Regulation, Immigrant Parents Still Face Language Barriers
    A parent drops a child off at school. (Photo by dusanpetkovic1, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Report
    • School Year Filled with Missed Communications: Despite Chancellor’s Regulation, Immigrant Parents Still Face Language Barriers

    This report, prepared by AFC and the New York Immigration Coalition on behalf of The Equity Monitoring Project for Immigrant and Refugee Education (EMPIRE), finds that translation and interpretation services are still inadequate in City schools. The report highlights major gaps in language access during parent-teacher conferences and  important school events.

    Jun 27, 2007

    So Many Schools, So Few Options: How Mayor Bloomberg’s Small High School Reforms Deny Full Access to English Language Learners
    Sun shines on empty school hallway, numbered yellow lockers at the wall. (Photo by Lubo Ivanko, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Report
    • So Many Schools, So Few Options: How Mayor Bloomberg’s Small High School Reforms Deny Full Access to English Language Learners

    This joint report by AFC and the New York Immigration Coalition uses enrollment data from the New York City Department of Education to examine the representation of English Language Learners (ELLs) and immigrant students in both small and large schools, as well as the extent to which small high schools have not been created in areas with large and growing immigrant student populations.

    Nov 28, 2006

    Up Against the Odds: New York City’s Homeless Children Lose Out in School
    Calculator on an open math textbook. (Photo by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay)
  • Policy Report
    • Up Against the Odds: New York City’s Homeless Children Lose Out in School

    This 2006 report found that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) must increase its efforts to ensure the protection of homeless students’ legal rights to education. The report underscores the importance of providing education to children and youth experiencing homelessness and the need for increased coordination among city agencies and the DOE to provide services to these students.

    Sep 1, 2006

    An In-depth Look at Free Tutoring Services Under the No Child Left Behind Act in New York City: A Focus on English Language Learners
    Young boy sits in a classroom, looking at the camera
  • Policy Report
    • An In-depth Look at Free Tutoring Services Under the No Child Left Behind Act in New York City: A Focus on English Language Learners

    This 2006 policy brief provides an analysis of NYC Department of Education (DOE) statistics regarding student eligibility and enrollment in Supplemental Education Services (SES) and outlines the results of a survey of all 2004-05 DOE-approved SES Providers.

    Jun 1, 2006

    In Harm’s Way: A Survey of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students Who Speak About Harassment and Discrimination in NYC Schools
    Three smiling teenagers outside a school. (Photo by Sheilby Macena, Adobe Stock)
  • Policy Report
    • In Harm’s Way: A Survey of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students Who Speak About Harassment and Discrimination in NYC Schools

    This report examines the results of a survey to determine whether many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in New York City experience a safe and supportive learning environment. The report also examines the current state of the law meant to protect students from harassment and discrimination in schools.

    Oct 24, 2005

    Leaving School Empty Handed: A Report on Graduation and Dropout Rates for Students who Receive Special Education Services In New York City
    Teenage boy leans against a wall, arms crossed.
  • Policy Report
    • Leaving School Empty Handed: A Report on Graduation and Dropout Rates for Students who Receive Special Education Services In New York City

    This report examines the graduation outcomes of the more than 170,000 children currently classified as having disabilities and in need of special education services in New York City, based on federal, state, and city data from the school years between 1996-97 and 2003-04.

    Jun 1, 2005

    Project Achieve: A Model Project Providing Education Advocacy for Children in the Child Welfare System
    Two students walking down the street, their backs to the camera. (Photo by Mary Taylor from Pexels)
  • Policy Report
    • Project Achieve: A Model Project Providing Education Advocacy for Children in the Child Welfare System

    AFC first piloted the Project Achieve model at Louise Wise Services (LWS), a private preventive services and foster care agency in New York City, from the fall of 2002 to the spring of 2004. Our work at LWS demonstrated that the project is a viable, effective model, capable of replication at any child welfare agency.

    Mar 1, 2005

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