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.
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    AFC Supports Adoption and Funding of Recommendations by the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline
    Elementary school student sitting at desk, head on hands.
  • Press Statement
    • AFC Supports Adoption and Funding of Recommendations by the Mayor’s Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline

    Today, the City announced its intention to implement the recommendation of the Mayoral Leadership Team on School Climate and Discipline to modify the DOE’s discipline code to end suspensions for students in kindergarten through second grade and increase support for positive behavior interventions in schools. AFC staunchly supports the elimination of suspensions for these students and the use of a developmentally sound approach to address the behavior of young children instead.

    Jul 21, 2016

    Discipline for Students with Disabilities: Support Rather than Exclusion
    Close-up of an open book. (Photo by Bilakis via Pexels)
  • White Paper
    • Discipline for Students with Disabilities: Support Rather than Exclusion

    AFC presented this white paper at the 2016 national conference of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). The paper discusses the rights of students with disabilities to behavioral supports, and individual and systemic advocacy strategies that provide support for students with disabilities instead of excluding them from school.

    Mar 14, 2016

    AFC Testifies on School Climate and Discipline
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on School Climate and Discipline

    Today AFC is testifying before the New York City Council Committees on Public Safety and Education, and the Sub-Committee on Non-Public Schools, regarding school climate and discipline. AFC supports the passage of both Intro. No. 730, amending the Student Safety Act, and Intro. No. 719, requiring the DOE to report on the ratio of School Safety Officers (SSOs) to Guidance Counselors in each school.

    Apr 14, 2015

    AFC Testifies on Overcrowding in Schools
    New York City City Hall Building
  • Testimony & Public Comment
    • AFC Testifies on Overcrowding in Schools

    AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee about the problem of overcrowding in schools and about the charter school cap. We believe it is premature to raise the cap on the number of charter schools before putting laws and practices in place that protect students’ civil rights in the context of school discipline and ensure that charter schools serve high-needs populations.

    Mar 3, 2015

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