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.

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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    Delayed Interventions: Early Indicators of the Pandemic’s Impact on Infants and Toddlers
    A toddler sits on the floor with legos and blocks. (Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels)
  • Policy Report
    • Delayed Interventions: Early Indicators of the Pandemic’s Impact on Infants and Toddlers

    This January 2021 data brief examines the steep decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in the number of infants and toddlers referred to the New York City Early Intervention (EI) program to address concerns about their development. As a result of the drop in referrals, thousands of young children with developmental delays or disabilities missed the chance for intervention at the time it is most effective.

    Jan 15, 2021

    Student Homelessness in New York City, 2019–20
    Close up of students writing on exam answer sheets in a classroom. (Photo by arrowsmith2, Adobe Stock)
  • Issue Brief
    • Student Homelessness in New York City, 2019–20

    The New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS), a project of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), posted new data showing that more than 111,000 New York City students—approximately one in ten children enrolled in district or charter schools—were identified as homeless during the 2019-20 school year. In the Bronx, approximately one in six students was homeless.

    Dec 3, 2020

    Recommendations for Improving the Education of New York City Students with Disabilities During the Pandemic
    Yellow and blue colored pencils
  • Policy Report
    • Recommendations for Improving the Education of New York City Students with Disabilities During the Pandemic

    Advocates for Children of New York released a set of essential recommendations for New York City’s school reopening plan, urging the Department of Education (DOE) to ensure that students with disabilities have the support they need when schools reopen, whether they are learning in a school building or remotely.

    Aug 18, 2020

    AFC Urges DOE to Follow State Guidance & Let 21-Year-Old Students Stay in School
    Rear shot of a young woman writing in a notebook; textbooks are piled in the background. (Photo by RF._.studio via Pexels)
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Urges DOE to Follow State Guidance & Let 21-Year-Old Students Stay in School

    Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to new State guidance strongly encouraging school districts to provide over-age high school students the opportunity to return to school next year to finish meeting graduation requirements and to prepare for their transition out of high school.

    Jun 25, 2020

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    A new school year begins!

    Our Back to School resource hub has deadlines, helpful links, and more need-to-know information for students, families, and professionals as the school year gets started.

    Learn more