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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AFC submitted comments on proposed changes to Chancellor’s Regulation A-701 regarding school health services.
Today, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s special education data report for the months of July through October 2020, and as of mid-January 2021.
On January 28, 2021, AFC testified at the New York State Joint Legislative Hearing on the 2021-2022 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget proposal, urging legislators to increase, and not cut, state education funding and ensure schools can use their full COVID-19 relief funding to reopen schools and help students catch up.
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.
AFC testified before the City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Women and Gender Equity about the related issues of a shortage of preschool special education programs, and the problem of Learning Bridges child care programs excluding children with disabilities.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education’s hearing about the critical need for social-emotional and mental health support for students, and the City’s commitment to remove police from schools and craft a new vision of school safety that ensures all students are truly safe and supported.
Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) issued the following response to the release of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)’s special education data report for the 2019-20 school year.
AFC and the ARISE Coalition (coordinated by AFC) testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the education of NYC’s more than 200,000 students with disabilities, many of whom cannot engage in remote instruction or services independently and many of whom simply are not getting what they need to learn.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on Health regarding the reopening of City schools. As the City continues working on the health and safety measures needed to protect school communities from COVID-19 this year, the City must also redouble its outreach efforts and provide individualized support to families of students who are not regularly engaging in remote learning.
AFC submitted comments urging the New York State Education Department to reject proposed regulations that would allow non-attorneys to serve as hearing officers in special education cases.
A new school year begins!