Advocates for Children of New York

Advocates for Children of New York works on behalf of children who are at greatest risk for school-based discrimination and/or academic failure due to poverty, disability, race, ethnicity, immigrant or English Language Learner status, homelessness, or involvement in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.

Find out more here

Need Help?

Call AFC’s Education Helpline
1 (866) 427-6033
Monday to Thursday
10am to 4pm

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Help Advocates for Children assist more New York City students

Izzie

“Because of AFC’s efforts my family and I do see the light at the end of the tunnel...”

Read Izzie’s story

Zio

“Each school year I often wondered when will things improve?”

Read Zio’s story

Ruben

“Now I will be able to be an active contributing member of the work force!”

Read Ruben’s story

Charlene

“Charlene is thriving at her new school and has been praised for her improved behavior.”

Read Charlene’s story

Khiry

“I never would have been able to get my diploma if AFC hadn’t found me the right school. ”

Read Khiry’s story

Spotlight

Turning 5
Do you have a child with special needs transitioning from preschool to kindergarten? Check out our newly updated guide to the “Turning 5” process.

Winter Workshop Series
AFC’s Parent Training Information Center is hosting a series of free workshops this winter. Learn more.

Events
What’s in a Rating? New York’s New Teacher Evaluation System
February 28, 2012 | 7:00 pm
NYU School of Law
Click for more info

AFC’s Annual Spring Benefit
May 8, 2012 | 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
The Rubin Museum | New York City
Stay Tuned for More Details

Statement by AFC in response to Speaker Christine Quinn’s State of the City proposal to make kindergarten mandatory
When children miss out on kindergarten, they start behind and, far too often, stay behind. Speaker Quinn’s call for mandatory kindergarten is an important step toward ensuring that all children get the start they need to succeed in school. Read entire statement.

AFC Comments on State Plan for Improved Accountability
AFC provides critical recommendations for improving public schools to the New York State Education Department (SED) regarding their newly released draft request for flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind (ESEA/NCLB). Read the entire comment here.

AFC in the News

Analysis: Despite Teacher Evaluation Deal, Test Scores Still Rule

2.22.2012 | NBC New York | Kim Sweet, of Advocates for Children, told me: “We’re getting to the point where we are creating additional testing, not to benefit children but... Read more

Special needs children need not apply

2.21.2012 | Insideschools.org | "A reform like this requires a lot of planning," said Kim Sweet, director of Advocates for Children. "We would like to see the DOE do more... Read more

Cuomo confident of teacher eval deal by deadline

2.14.2012 | The Wall Street Journal | The independent Advocates for Children of New York are trying to insert provisions that recognize the particular challenges of... Read more

Special Ed Overhaul Leaves Parents, Teachers Afraid Schools Can't Cope

2.13.2012 | DNA Info | “They’re saying to schools: ‘Take in a bunch of kids who you didn’t take in before — and do it right,’” said Maggie Moroff, coordinator of ARISE, a... Read more

High dropout rate, open questions at schools that closed in 2011

2.01.2012 | GothamSchools | “What I’d really like to know is, what happened to all the other kids in the school when the closure was announced?” said Kim Sweet, executive... Read more