Advocates for Children of New York

Looking forward to participating in next Friday's #NYCReadsTogether Literacy Ecosystem Summit! For those interested in deepening NYC's commitment to a shared strategy for literacy that supports ALL students and families, there's still time to register: cprl.law.columbia.edu/node/334

Mamdani’s budget includes millions for class size reduction, but other programs left out Mamdani’s preliminary budget adds hundreds of millions to meet a state class size mandate, but leaves out several education programs for vulnerable students

Mamdani’s preliminary budget adds hundreds of millions to meet a state class size mandate, but leaves out several education programs for vulnerable students

AFC Responds to the Release of the New York City FY 2027 Preliminary Budget - Advocates for Children of New York In response to the release of Mayor Mamdani’s Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2027, Maria Odom, Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, issued the following statement.

We're pleased @mayor.nyc.gov's preliminary budget baselines last year’s $70M investment in preschool special education. The Mayor & @council.nyc.gov must also ensure students don't lose access to other impactful education programs funded with city dollars that will run out in June. Full statement:

Education experts push more updates to school aid formula They insist those tweaks are crucial for school districts to be able to support a wide array of needs.

Thank you @shelleybmayer.bsky.social for pushing for important changes to the Foundation Aid formula to help reflect the needs of students, including students who are homeless who currently get no added funding through the formula. spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-...

AFC Testifies on the FY 2027 State Education Budget Proposal - Advocates for Children of New York Today, AFC is testifying at the Joint Legislative Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 Executive Budget Proposal for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Today, we're testifying at the NYS education budget hearing calling on Governor Hochul and the NYS Legislature to make long overdue updates to the Foundation Aid education funding formula and not to shortchange NYC students. Read our testimony: advocatesforchildren.org/policy-resou...

New York City Public Schools NYC Department of Education, serving 1.1 million students in over 1,800 schools

Due to inclement weather, @nycschools.bsky.social are CLOSED on Monday, Jan 26. School will be held remotely for students scheduled to attend that day. For updates and details, visit schools.nyc.gov.

Mayoral control, 2-care, and more: What Hochul’s budget proposal means for NYC schools Gov. Hochul’s budget adds funding for schools and child care — but advocates say big flaws with the funding formula remain.

Gov. Hochul’s budget adds funding for schools and child care — but advocates say big flaws with the funding formula remain.

Gov. Hochul’s budget proposes record school aid, but NYC kids may still get shortchanged Even though overall education spending is higher, NYC could see itself shortchanged again this year when the dollars are divvied up among New York state’s various cities and towns.

Gov. Hochul’s budget proposes record school aid, but NYC kids may still get shortchanged

Last week, we announced a plan to make child care universal. Today, applications are open for pre-K & 3-K. If your child is turning 3 or 4, apply now for the fall at: myschools.nyc

Tell Congress: Protect Funding for Full-Service Community Schools! Tell Congress: Protect Funding for Full-Service Community Schools!

At Children’s Aid, we know that Full-Service Community Schools funding is critical in helping NY students and families thrive. Now, Congress is considering eliminating this funding. Stand with us to protect federal funding for community schools ➡️ https://loom.ly/mJjeJKI

Chancellor Kamar Samuels tells principals he will double down on Eric Adams’ literacy overhaul NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels told principals on Monday that he plans to double down on former Mayor Eric Adams’ reading curriculum reforms.

NYC schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels told principals on Monday that he plans to double down on former Mayor Eric Adams’ reading curriculum reforms.

Understanding the Kindergarten IEP - Advocates for Children of New York

Join AFC advocates for a free webinar, Understanding the Kindergarten IEP! Learn about the process of creating the IEP, steps you can take to prepare for the meeting, programs & service options that are available for children with disabilities, and more. advocatesforchildren.org/events/under...

Statement on Announcement of Kamar Samuels as Next Schools Chancellor - Advocates for Children of New York AFC issued the following statement in response to the announcement of Kamar Samuels as the next Schools Chancellor.

Congratulations to our next @nycschools.bsky.social
Chancellor, Kamar Samuels! We look forward to working with you to build upon existing initiatives like NYC Reads & launch new efforts to address longstanding challenges. Our statement:
advocatesforchildren.org/policy-resou...

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration - Advocates for Children of New York Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats t...

Find all of our recommendations for how the next administration can take on big challenges and stand firm in the face of threats to students’ civil rights: advocatesforchildren.org/policy-resou...

Text over a photo of the front doors of a school reads “Tackle educational barriers for students who are homeless. Launch a bold interagency initiative led by City Hall to focus on issues like the persistently high rate of chronic absenteeism.”

5/ Last year, more than 154,000 NYC students experienced homelessness. We know that education is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness, but far too many students in shelter are struggling to access the support they need to learn and thrive.

Text over a photo of students sitting in a classroom reads “Invest in supports for immigrant students and English Language Learners. Expand high school options for recently arrived immigrant youth, recruit more bilingual teachers and service providers, & increase the number of bilingual programs.”

4/ 168,000 students—more than 1 in 6—are English Language Learners (ELLs), but last year fewer than 20% were in a bilingual program. We need more high school options for recently arrived newcomers, more bilingual programs, and more bilingual teachers and service providers.

Text over a photo of children boarding a school bus reads “Overhaul NYC’S 46-year-old school bus contracts. Create a school transportation system that works for the students, families, and schools it is intended to serve.”

3/ Each year, hundreds of parents call AFC with problems related to their child's transportation. It is long past time to make major improvements, like providing more effective bus routes, extending bus service to after-school, enhancing customer service, & more.

2/ Increase access to mental health services and ensure schools can safely and effectively support students' social-emotional and behavioral needs.

Text over a photo of a student reading a book. The text reads "Sustain and strengthen NYC Reads. Ensure students at all grade levels who need more support to learn to read receive one-on-one or small group intervention."

1/ AFC hears from too many parents whose children are struggling to read, especially those in middle & high school. The next administration should deepen the work currently happening in @nycschools.bsky.social, with a focus on providing targeted interventions to students at ALL grade levels

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration - Advocates for Children of New York Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats t...

🧵 As Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social prepares to lead @nycschools.bsky.social, the largest school district in the nation, here are AFC's top policy recommendations to ensure all young people receive the support they need to learn and thrive. advocatesforchildren.org/policy-resou...

NY lawmakers push for transparency on suspensions of students with disabilities A hidden part of the suspension process for students with disabilities could get more sunlight under new bills proposed by New York lawmakers.

A hidden part of the suspension process for students with disabilities could get more sunlight under new bills proposed by New York lawmakers.

A new audit of @nycschools.bsky.social's Office of Pupil Transportation has found glaring performance & oversight failures:

🚍 In '23-24, OPT received 150k+ complaints
🚍 OPT failed to collect $42.6 million in penalties
🚍 They still rely on a GPS built in 1994
comptroller.nyc.gov/reports/audi...

🚨 Happening now! We're standing with @nyccomptroller.bsky.social and NYC advocates to call for a school busing system that truly works for the students, families, and schools it's intended to serve.

Leading the Way for NYC Schools: Recommendations for the Next Administration - Advocates for Children of New York Based on our experience helping thousands of New York City families each year, we urge the next Mayoral Administration to take on big challenges with bold ideas and stand firm in the face of threats t...

Read our full recommendations for Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social:

Photo of a student holding a book with overlaid text that reads "Sustain and strengthen NYC Reads. Ensure students at all grade levels who need more support to learn to read receive one-on-one or small group intervention."

AFC hears from too many parents whose children are struggling to read, especially those in middle & high school. The next administration should deepen the work currently happening in @nycschools.bsky.social, with a focus on providing targeted interventions to students at ALL grade levels.

Eric Adams Pledged to Help Dyslexic Students. Many Say He Fell Short.

Despite some meaningful wins, NYC is still falling short of its promise—& legal mandate—to provide an equal education for every child with dyslexia.

“No one should be declaring victory. There’s still a long way to go and a lot of work left to do.”

NY education officials propose a $1.1 billion budget hike. What’s on their wish list? NY Regents want a $1.1 billion budget hike that prioritizes support for homeless students, early college, and the arts.

NY Regents want a $1.1 billion budget hike that prioritizes support for homeless students, early college, and the arts.

Thank you to the NYSED Board of Regents for including a Foundation Aid weight for students who are homeless in your budget priorities! We're calling on @governor.ny.gov @nyassemblymajority.bsky.social @nysendems.bsky.social to fully fund the Foundation Aid formula with key changes.

Over 140 organizations across NY signed on to our letter to @governor.ny.gov to adopt our platform for a child care system that serves families across the state equitably, pays educators a thriving wage, and delivers for all.
Read our letter here: empirestatechildcare.org/wp-content/u...

What is the ‘science of reading’ anyway? Free course helps unpack that question for NYC teachers The free course includes video from three NYC public schools that shows how teachers can use the science of reading in real classroom conditions.

The free course includes video from three NYC public schools that shows how teachers can use the science of reading in real classroom conditions.