Advocates for Children of New York
@afcnewyork.bsky.social
NYC non-profit dedicated to protecting every child's right to learn. For 50+ years, we've worked with students at greatest risk for school-based discrimination. www.advocatesforchildren.org
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Need help with an education-related issue in New York City? Our Education Helpline provides free, individualized guidance & information on topics like special education, school suspensions, transportation, immigrant students' rights, enrollment, and more. We can speak to you in YOUR language.
Our brilliant policy director Randi Levine joins an extraordinary group of partners & advocates on Mayor-Elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's transition committee! We look forward to helping to shape the new admin's vision for NYC schools, students, & families www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Who’s shaping Mamdani’s education vision? Child care and integration advocates, de Blasio alums
Find out who made the list for Mayor-elect Mamdani’s youth and education transition committee — and which key K-12 voices are missing.
www.chalkbeat.org
November 25, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Our brilliant policy director Randi Levine joins an extraordinary group of partners & advocates on Mayor-Elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's transition committee! We look forward to helping to shape the new admin's vision for NYC schools, students, & families www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025...
Proud to join advocates from across the country in expressing our deep concern with the actions taken this week by the federal Administration to transfer key U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies.
EdTrust along with over 60+ Civil rights and education organizations denounce the unlawful transfer of critical U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies. Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/4i9V6xf
60+ Civil Rights and Education Organizations’ Joint Statement on the Illegal Transferring of Key Roles and Responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education
Civil rights and education organizations denounce the unlawful transfer of critical U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Proud to join advocates from across the country in expressing our deep concern with the actions taken this week by the federal Administration to transfer key U.S. Department of Education offices and responsibilities to other federal agencies.
Thank you @liunewyork.bsky.social & @joannesimonbk52.bsky.social for highlighting the need for NYS to change the Foundation Aid education funding formula to add a weight for students who are homeless or in foster care and update the outdated Regional Cost Index!
Opinion: New York must stop shortchanging schools with yesterday’s data
The state’s Foundation Aid formula must be tweaked to ensure New York City schools are getting enough funding.
www.cityandstateny.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Thank you @liunewyork.bsky.social & @joannesimonbk52.bsky.social for highlighting the need for NYS to change the Foundation Aid education funding formula to add a weight for students who are homeless or in foster care and update the outdated Regional Cost Index!
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
The extended contract comes after threats to halt school busing services. Roughly 150,000 students ride yellow school buses in NYC.
NYC ends school busing saga, education panel votes to extend three-year contract
The extended contract comes after threats to halt school busing services. Roughly 150,000 students ride yellow school buses in NYC.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 4:20 AM
The extended contract comes after threats to halt school busing services. Roughly 150,000 students ride yellow school buses in NYC.
Join the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm for a virtual teach-in on the city & state education budgets! Register to receive the zoom link: bit.ly/edbudgetteachin
November 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Join the Coalition for Equitable Education Funding on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:30pm for a virtual teach-in on the city & state education budgets! Register to receive the zoom link: bit.ly/edbudgetteachin
“There’s plenty of blame to go around but what’s clear is that extending the 46-year-old bus contracts again and again is not serving our students. Now, the incoming administration must move forward to ensure new, improved bus service is in place by the time the next extension expires.”
NYC parents still struggle with school bus service as contract extension goes up for vote
It’s unlikely the new deal will usher in immediate reform of the city’s dysfunctional school bus service.
gothamist.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:13 PM
“There’s plenty of blame to go around but what’s clear is that extending the 46-year-old bus contracts again and again is not serving our students. Now, the incoming administration must move forward to ensure new, improved bus service is in place by the time the next extension expires.”
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
For decades, students of color have been denied dyslexia diagnosis and intervention
For Decades, Students of Color Denied Dyslexia Diagnosis and Intervention
Undiagnosed dyslexia can manifest as behavior issues, which can disproportionately harm Black and brown kids in school and their mental health.
www.the74million.org
November 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
For decades, students of color have been denied dyslexia diagnosis and intervention
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
New report questions quality of education for NYC kids facing juvenile detention
New report questions quality of education for NYC kids facing juvenile detention
Some 1,040 youth were enrolled in Passages Academy, the education program for students charged or found responsible for a crime, last school year.
buff.ly
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
New report questions quality of education for NYC kids facing juvenile detention
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
New York City is failing to provide basic educational services to youth in juvenile detention, according to a new report.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-schools-falling-short-on-education-for-youth-in-detention-new-report-finds
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-schools-falling-short-on-education-for-youth-in-detention-new-report-finds
NYC schools falling short on education for youth in detention, new report finds
The report also finds poor transition support that leaves many youth without a school placement upon reentry
gothamist.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:00 PM
New York City is failing to provide basic educational services to youth in juvenile detention, according to a new report.
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-schools-falling-short-on-education-for-youth-in-detention-new-report-finds
https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-schools-falling-short-on-education-for-youth-in-detention-new-report-finds
Here's our testimony for this afternoon's @council.nyc.gov hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers. We're grateful to Council Members Rita Joseph and Althea Stevens for holding this important hearing!
AFC Testifies on Educational Access in NYC’s Juvenile Detention Centers - Advocates for Children of New York
AFC is testifying before the New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth and Committee on Education regarding educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers.
advocatesforchildren.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Here's our testimony for this afternoon's @council.nyc.gov hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers. We're grateful to Council Members Rita Joseph and Althea Stevens for holding this important hearing!
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
Today at 1PM:
The Committees on Children & Youth and Education will hold a joint oversight hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers, as well as hearing legislation on reducing surplus food in schools, and more.
📺 Watch live: council.nyc.gov/livestream
The Committees on Children & Youth and Education will hold a joint oversight hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers, as well as hearing legislation on reducing surplus food in schools, and more.
📺 Watch live: council.nyc.gov/livestream
November 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Today at 1PM:
The Committees on Children & Youth and Education will hold a joint oversight hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers, as well as hearing legislation on reducing surplus food in schools, and more.
📺 Watch live: council.nyc.gov/livestream
The Committees on Children & Youth and Education will hold a joint oversight hearing on educational access in NYC’s juvenile detention centers, as well as hearing legislation on reducing surplus food in schools, and more.
📺 Watch live: council.nyc.gov/livestream
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
A new report finds that students in juvenile detention often don’t get the special education support they need and struggle to reconnect with school after they’re released.
After juvenile detention, many NYC students struggle to reengage with school, report finds
A new report finds that students in juvenile detention often don’t get the special education support they need and struggle to reconnect with school after they’re released.
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 11:05 AM
A new report finds that students in juvenile detention often don’t get the special education support they need and struggle to reconnect with school after they’re released.
🆕 Ahead of today's @council.nyc.gov hearing on education in juvenile detention, our new report reviews data on Passages Academy—the school serving youth in court-ordered settings—and calls on NYC to better serve students before, during, & after their detention.
Reconnecting to Opportunity: Advancing Educational Equity for Court-Involved Students - Advocates for Children of New York
This report reviews data on educational programming for young people in juvenile detention or placement during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years and makes key recommendations for how the incoming M...
advocatesforchildren.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM
🆕 Ahead of today's @council.nyc.gov hearing on education in juvenile detention, our new report reviews data on Passages Academy—the school serving youth in court-ordered settings—and calls on NYC to better serve students before, during, & after their detention.
“...punitive discipline is, for the most part, harmful to young people, and does not actually address the root causes of behavior. Accountability is part of restorative justice, helping students understand the harm that their behavior can cause — which can lead them to change their behavior.”
NYC school suspensions down, but unevenly, as Black, special-ed students disciplined most
Over the last decade, the city’s school system has moved away from lengthy suspensions in favor of progressive discipline that focuses on conflict resolution and the root causes of student mi…
www.nydailynews.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:37 PM
“...punitive discipline is, for the most part, harmful to young people, and does not actually address the root causes of behavior. Accountability is part of restorative justice, helping students understand the harm that their behavior can cause — which can lead them to change their behavior.”
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
Long-term suspensions dropped considerably. But Black students and those with disabilities are still disproportionately suspended in NYC schools.
NYC suspensions fall to lowest level in years. Big disparities persist.
Long-term suspensions dropped considerably. But Black students and those with disabilities are still disproportionately suspended in NYC schools.
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Long-term suspensions dropped considerably. But Black students and those with disabilities are still disproportionately suspended in NYC schools.
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
At the link below is a list of food pantries and other places offering free food and meals to students and families in NYC and Newark. Each location also has a phone number listed if you would like to contact them about donations or volunteering.
Where students and families can find free food and meals in NYC and Newark
Looking for free food and meals in NYC or Newark? Here’s a list of food pantries and other resources.
bit.ly
November 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
At the link below is a list of food pantries and other places offering free food and meals to students and families in NYC and Newark. Each location also has a phone number listed if you would like to contact them about donations or volunteering.
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
NYC avoids school bus shutdown with last-minute deal to keep service running https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-avoids-school-bus-shutdown-with-last-minute-deal-to-keep-service-running
NYC avoids school bus shutdown with last-minute deal to keep service running
A school bus is parked on 8th avenue in New York City.
The emergency agreement gives yellow bus service a reprieve as the city and bus companies work on a longer contract. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:56 PM
NYC avoids school bus shutdown with last-minute deal to keep service running https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-avoids-school-bus-shutdown-with-last-minute-deal-to-keep-service-running
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
Last year, 154,000 @NYCSchools students experienced homelessness. State leaders should update the per-pupil education funding formula to add $ for each student in temporary housing or foster care to help districts meet these students' needs. Take action: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Tell State Leaders: Fix the NYS Education Funding Formula
The final state budget included changes to the formula used to decide how much education funding, or Foundation Aid, school districts get from the State for each student. Unfortunately, due to the lim...
actionnetwork.org
October 31, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Last year, 154,000 @NYCSchools students experienced homelessness. State leaders should update the per-pupil education funding formula to add $ for each student in temporary housing or foster care to help districts meet these students' needs. Take action: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
NYC school bus shutdown as soon as Monday is averted
NYC school bus shutdown as soon as Monday is averted
Early last week, the companies threatened to discontinue bus service for tens of thousands of students next month.
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 1:18 AM
NYC school bus shutdown as soon as Monday is averted
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
More than 150,000 New York City students experienced homelessness last year, setting yet another record high according to new data obtained by the nonprofit Advocates for Children.
154,000 NYC students were homeless last school year — another record high
More than 150,000 New York City students experienced homelessness last year, setting yet another record high according to new data obtained by the nonprofit Advocates for Children.
amsterdamnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
More than 150,000 New York City students experienced homelessness last year, setting yet another record high according to new data obtained by the nonprofit Advocates for Children.
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
Nearly 1 in 7 New York City public school students experienced homelessness during the 2024–25 school year. That’s 154,000 homeless children, most of whom were either living in shelters or staying with friends or family in overcrowded apartments.
154,000 New York City Students Were Homeless Last Year, a Record Number
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Nearly 1 in 7 New York City public school students experienced homelessness during the 2024–25 school year. That’s 154,000 homeless children, most of whom were either living in shelters or staying with friends or family in overcrowded apartments.
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
"Rather than shepherd broken contracts to my doorstep, let’s go back to the chalkboard and redraw our system of school transportation. Our students and families deserve nothing less."
A Strong and vital message from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social!
A Strong and vital message from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social!
The '23-24 school year had over 83k reported bus delays in NYC, yet Mayor Adams wants to rubberstamp the same failed contracts.
I urge the PEP to vote down these contracts & insist the City find another lane.
My @nydailynews.com op-ed on our broken bus system: www.nydailynews.com/2025/10/28/w...
I urge the PEP to vote down these contracts & insist the City find another lane.
My @nydailynews.com op-ed on our broken bus system: www.nydailynews.com/2025/10/28/w...
Why our students deserve 21st century school buses
Bumpy, uncomfortable, sometimes sweltering, and too often hours late. That’s how it feels for 150,000 New York City students to ride the school bus. Sometimes, it never comes at all.
www.nydailynews.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
"Rather than shepherd broken contracts to my doorstep, let’s go back to the chalkboard and redraw our system of school transportation. Our students and families deserve nothing less."
A Strong and vital message from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social!
A Strong and vital message from @nyccomptroller.bsky.social!
Reposted by Advocates for Children of New York
After years of bouncing between shelters and long school commutes, Kezie Thomas and her daughter finally have permanent housing, and a school just minutes from home.
Read more: http://specne.ws/so8xUD
Read more: http://specne.ws/so8xUD
One family's experience navigating public school while homeless
More than 65,000 students in city schools spent at least one night in a homeless shelter last year.
specne.ws
October 21, 2025 at 6:45 PM
After years of bouncing between shelters and long school commutes, Kezie Thomas and her daughter finally have permanent housing, and a school just minutes from home.
Read more: http://specne.ws/so8xUD
Read more: http://specne.ws/so8xUD
Several bus companies are threatening to stop service starting 11/1 as part of ongoing contract negotiations. It's not yet certain anything will happen, but we know a potential stoppage would be massively disruptive.
NYC officials lay out plans to get kids to school if bus contract negotiations stall https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-officials-lay-out-plans-to-get-kids-to-school-if-bus-contract-negotiations-stall
NYC officials lay out plans to get kids to school if bus contract negotiations stall
Gothamist identified more than 100 school bus delays reported by parents that were not reflected in official city data.
The city is pushing for bus companies to extend their contracts temporarily, but the companies are hoping for a five-year deal. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Several bus companies are threatening to stop service starting 11/1 as part of ongoing contract negotiations. It's not yet certain anything will happen, but we know a potential stoppage would be massively disruptive.
Last year, 154K @nycschools.bsky.social students experienced homelessness. State leaders should update the per-pupil education funding formula to add $ for each student in temporary housing or foster care to help districts meet these students' needs. Take action:
Tell State Leaders: Fix the NYS Education Funding Formula
The final state budget included changes to the formula used to decide how much education funding, or Foundation Aid, school districts get from the State for each student. Unfortunately, due to the lim...
actionnetwork.org
October 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Last year, 154K @nycschools.bsky.social students experienced homelessness. State leaders should update the per-pupil education funding formula to add $ for each student in temporary housing or foster care to help districts meet these students' needs. Take action: