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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    Invest in Education, not Criminalization
    Side of an NYC DOE school building on a sunny day.
  • Issue Brief
    • Invest in Education, not Criminalization

    This June 2020 policy brief summarizes the proposed cuts to education funding in the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2021 Executive Budget and the devastating impact these cuts would have on schools and students. The brief urges Mayor de Blasio and the City Council to reject cuts to education and ensure schools have more resources—not less—to address the challenges caused by the pandemic.

    Jun 23, 2020

    Protect Graduation Opportunities for Students Aging Out During COVID-19
    Rows of high school graduates in caps and gowns, viewed from behind. (Photo by Mat Hayward, Adobe Stock)
  • Issue Brief
    • Protect Graduation Opportunities for Students Aging Out During COVID-19

    This June 2020 policy brief shows that there are approximately 3,700 students in New York State who will age out of school this year and lose their chance to earn a diploma. They are disproportionately students of color, students with disabilities, and English Language Learners. The brief calls on the State Education Department to issue guidance directing districts to allow all students aging out of school without a diploma to return to high school next year.

    Jun 15, 2020

    AFC Commends the Decision to Modify Graduation Exam Requirements in Light of COVID-19
    Student's hand holding pencil and filling in a bubble on an answer sheet for a math exam. (Photo by Achira22, Adobe Stock)
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Commends the Decision to Modify Graduation Exam Requirements in Light of COVID-19

    Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement in response to the cancellation of the June Regents exams and the release of guidance from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) modifying graduation requirements for impacted students.

    Apr 7, 2020

    Waiting for a Seat: The Shortage of Preschool Special Education Class Seats in New York City
    Preschool girl drawing at a table in a classroom. (Image by krakenimages.com on Freepik)
  • Policy Report
    • Waiting for a Seat: The Shortage of Preschool Special Education Class Seats in New York City

    As a result of years of under-investment by the State in preschool special education programs, New York is falling far short of providing all children with the preschool special education classes they need and have a legal right to receive. This policy brief shows a projected shortfall of more than 1,000 preschool special education class seats for New York City children with disabilities for spring 2020.

    Jan 30, 2020

    Early Inequities: How Underfunding Early Intervention Leaves Low-Income Children of Color Behind
    Toddler playing with educational toys.
  • Policy Report
    • Early Inequities: How Underfunding Early Intervention Leaves Low-Income Children of Color Behind

    This December 2019 report, published in partnership with Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC), shows that State disinvestment in New York’s Early Intervention program has caused major racial and socio-economic disparities in access to services. The report shows that children under the age of three with developmental delays or disabilities are less likely to receive critical services that could help them reach their full potential if they live in low-income neighborhoods of color, and makes a number of recommendations to New York City and New York State in order to increase access to Early Intervention services.

    Dec 4, 2019

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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.

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