Policy

Public Comments & Testimony Archive: 2016

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AFC Submits Comments on Proposed Changes to Chancellor's Regulations A-210 and A-750, December 20, 2016
AFC submitted comments to the New York City Department of Education regarding the response protocol for cases of unexplained absence with respect to students with current or recent child welfare involvement.

AFC Testifies on Educational Services for New York City's Detained, Placed, and Incarcerated Youth, November 30, 2016
AFC testified at an oversight hearing held by the New York City Council Committees on Fire and Criminal Justice Services jointly with the Committee on Juvenile Justice and the Committee on Education. Our testimony includes recommendations for improving the quality of education for youth in detention, placement, and incarceration, and after their release from these settings.

AFC Submits Testimony on Bullying, Harassment, and Discrimination in NYC Schools, October 19, 2016
AFC submitted testimony to the New York City Council Committee on Education with recommendations for addressing bullying in NYC schools and supporting LGBTQ students, students with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.

AFC Comments on NYSED's Proposed Policy on the Least Restrictive Environment, September 30, 2016
AFC submitted comments in response to the State Education Department’s proposed plan to promote inclusion among preschool and school-age students with disabilities.

AFC Testifies on Access to Career and Technical Education, September 21, 2016
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education regarding access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs).

AFC Comments on Proposed Changes to Chancellor’s Regulation A-101, September 20, 2016
AFC submitted comments to the New York City Department of Education regarding proposed changes to Chancellor’s Regulation A-101 regarding school transfers, admissions, and enrollment.

AFC Testifies on Proposed Changes to the Discipline Code, August 8, 2016
AFC testified at the DOE’s hearing on proposed changes to the New York City School Discipline Code. Our testimony focused on the proposals to ban suspensions for students in kindergarten through second grade, require schools to document supports and interventions used, and expand the options for the length of suspensions.

AFC Submits Comments on Proposed ESSA Regulations, June 26, 2016
AFC submitted public comments to U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. on the proposed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) accountability and state plan regulations.

AFC Submits Testimony on School Stability for Students in Foster Care, June 16, 2016
AFC submitted testimony to the New York City Council General Welfare Committee regarding school stability for students in foster care.

AFC Testifies on the Fiscal Year 2017 New York City Budget, May 24, 2016 
AFC testified about the city budget before the City Council Committee on Finance, asking that the final budget include increased funding for DOE social workers for students living in shelters and for restorative justice programs.

AFC Submits Testimony on Mayoral Control, May 19, 2016
AFC submitted testimony to the New York State Senate Education Committee supporting a long-term extension of mayoral control of the New York City public schools.

AFC Submits Comments on the CDOS Graduation Pathway, May 16, 2016
AFC submitted comments to the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents in support of the proposed amendment of the regulations relating to the Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) Commencement Credential.

AFC Testifies on the Needs of Students with Dyslexia and Related Disabilities, April 19, 2016
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committees on Education and Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Disability Services about the need to make certain that our public schools are prepared to provide all students, including those with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities, with appropriate, evidence-based literacy instruction.

AFC Comments on Proposed Amendment Relating to Citizenship Requirements for Professional Licensure, April 13, 2016
AFC submitted comments in support of the proposed amendment of the regulations relating to the citizenship requirements for professional licensure and certification in teaching and educational leadership service.

AFC Testifies on the New York City 2017 Preliminary Budget, March 16, 2016
AFC testified before the City Council Education Committee about the City’s fiscal year 2017 Preliminary Budget, calling on the Administration and City Council to increase funding to address school climate and to support students experiencing homelessness.

AFC Testifies on School Overcrowding, March 8, 2016 
AFC testified at the Manhattan Borough President’s Public Hearing on overcrowding in Manhattan public schools, highlighting some of the cases that come into our office specific to students with special education needs.

AFC Testifies on Funding for Child Care in the 2016-17 Executive Budget, February 9, 2016  
AFC testified at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2016-17 Human Services Budget proposal about the importance of increasing investments in child care. An additional $190 million is needed to meet new federal child care standards and expand access to children who are homeless.

AFC Testifies on the DOE's Support for Students in Temporary Housing, February 4, 2016
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education and Committee on General Welfare regarding transportation and support for students experiencing homelessness.

AFC Testifies on ThriveNYC’s Mental Health Roadmap, January 28, 2016 
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Disability Services regarding City students' behavioral and mental health needs.

AFC Testifies on the 2016-17 State Education Budget Proposal, January 27, 2016
AFC testified at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2016-17 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget proposal, urging legislators to increase investments in education programs such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), prekindergarten, and support for English Language Learners (ELLs).

AFC Submits Testimony on Early Intervention, January 25, 2016
AFC submitted testimony for the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2016-17 Health Budget proposal, urging legislators to reject a budget proposal to restructure the Early Intervention screening and evaluation process and to increase funding for home visiting programs.

AFC Testifies on Teacher Preparation in New York City, January 14, 2016
AFC testified at a New York City Council Committee on Higher Education oversight hearing on teacher training in New York City's post-secondary institutions, emphasizing the need to better prepare new teachers to support the needs of students who are struggling to learn to read and students with behavioral challenges.