This report, which is based on conversations with parents of New York City students about their experiences working with their children’s schools as their children were taught to read, makes recommendations for New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) on how to partner with families as the city enters the next stages of its efforts to improve reading instruction across the school system.
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.
Call to Action to Sustain Education Programs Funded with Expiring Federal COVID-19 Relief
More than 170 organizations are calling on New York leaders to save critical education programs currently supported by temporary federal stimulus funding set to run dry in 2024.407 Results Found
AFC submitted testimony for the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2024–2025 Executive Budget Proposal regarding the need to significantly invest in Early Intervention (EI).
AFC testified before the New York State Education Department regarding mayoral control, emphasizing the need to ensure that any changes to the current model do not negatively affect the student populations AFC serves.
In response to the education portion of Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget address, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
In response to the release of Mayor Adams’ preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2025, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
In response to Mayor Adams’ education budget announcement, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, issued the following statement.
In response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State address, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Education & Committee on State and Federal Legislation regarding the new phonics based curriculum and dyslexia screening in NYC Public Schools. We are urging the Council to remain steadfast in the commitment to ensuring that all schools are using reading curricula with proven effectiveness and to push the school system to provide all students—including those who have disabilities like dyslexia—with the intervention and support they need.
On the one-year anniversary of Mayor Adams’ press conference announcing he would guarantee that every child who needed a preschool special education class would have one by the spring of 2023, Kim Sweet, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), issued the following statement.
AFC testified before the New York City Council Committee on Finance to express our concerns about the impact of the $547 million cut to NYC public schools this year – and the more than $600 million cut planned for next year.