Advocates for Children of New York

We’re #hiring for next summer's Law Internship Program, a wonderful opportunity for law students to gain experience in education advocacy and support NYC families and students!

An overhaul of reading instruction in NYC Department of Education schools has been long overdue. As much as we want to see immediate results from NYC Reads, we always knew that successful implementation would take time. As AFC Director Kim Sweet said, “We need to take the long view and work for lasting change” in order to prepare all students for successful futures.

BREAKING NEWS! This fall, NYC Public Schools is opening over 50 new special education preschool and kindergarten classrooms in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens! Teachers who hold NY State certification (or are on track to be certified by 9/1) in Students with Disabilities Birth-2, 1-6, or All Grades are encouraged to apply. Time is running out to submit your application, secure a position, and complete the onboarding process by the first day of school on September 5th. Apply now: bit.ly/teachnycapp-li #SpecialEducation #StudentswithDisabilities #SPED #TeachNYC Hunter College Mercy University St. Joseph's University New York Touro University Graduate School of Education Queens College Teachers College, Columbia University New York University Lehman College Relay Graduate School of Education St. John's University

Are you a parent or family member of a student with a disability in New York City Public Schools? If so, The ARISE Coalition would love to hear about your student's experience with special education, and what improvements you'd want to see going forward. Add your thoughts! Complete the survey, available in multiple languages, by August 27:

Today we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law. #ADA34 At Advocates for Children of New York, we rely on the ADA to make schools more accessible and welcoming to students with disabilities, but we still have a long way to go to fulfill the promise of the ADA. For example, the persistence of physical barriers in *two-thirds* of NYC Department of Education schools means that New Yorkers with disabilities are still routinely excluded from buildings that are central to their communities. Are you considering a school but want to know more about the building's physical accessibility? MySchools.nyc directory has Building Accessibility Profiles for all NYC schools, with detailed information about pathways, entrances, ramps, corridors, classrooms, restrooms, and more ▶ https://lnkd.in/eNNpZkZq

Some very thoughtful words about learning alongside Advocates for Children of New York's attorneys from Fordham University School of Law student Alexa Jean-Baptiste, one of our wonderful summer law interns.

Every July, we celebrate #DisabilityPrideMonth -- an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community, and to share tips and resources for New Yorkers with disabilities Our library of free know-your-rights guides, tip sheets, and other resources can help New Yorkers with disabilities and their families navigate NYC Department of Education schools, understand your school-related rights, and advocate successfully for yourself and your child, like our "Guide to Special Education," a key primer to help you understand your rights ▶ https://lnkd.in/eRERjeUn 💡 Tip: the summer is a great time to get your child’s documents in order and prepare to meet with the school team in the Fall. Our online library has resources like an IEP Worksheet that can help you organize your thoughts, figure out what to prioritize, and plan for next year’s goals and services.  ▶ https://lnkd.in/eg8vYqRK

A recent law review article from Sarah Part & Erika Palmer of Advocates for Children of New York analyzes New York City data, finding that "youth in the foster system have enormous potential that too often goes unrealized because the systems charged with their care and education fail to meet their needs, and even compound the challenges they face." However, "the troubling trends in attendance, exclusionary discipline, and academic achievement laid out in this article are by no means inevitable." Their recommendations to improve educational outcomes for youth in foster care include: - Train schools on the unique needs and legal rights of students in foster care and their families  - Improve communication between schools, families, and child welfare professionals and ensure parents, foster parents, and child welfare staff all have timely access to educational information  - Guarantee door-to-door transportation for students in foster care so they can continue to attend school without interruption - Collaborate with families, local departments of social services, and foster care agencies to promote school attendance  - Revise policies to remove barriers that limit the full participation and success of students in foster care - Ensure students in foster care have access to a comprehensive, integrated system of behavioral and mental health services and are proactively supported through trauma-informed practices and other alternatives to suspension  - Strengthen pathways to college, careers, and post-secondary programs, particularly for students on alternative routes to graduation - Publicly report educational data about students in foster care Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eTVq9nMm

Wow! What a month! After tabling at Brooklyn Pride, hosting a webinar, and throwing a fabulous Pride party at the office, my colleagues at Advocates for Children of New York and I closed Pride month right by tabling at Harlem Pride over the weekend. It was a privilege to spend time with these lovely humans sharing AFC’s resources for families of LGBTQ+ students. Education is everything 🏳️🌈🌈

Tomorrow marks the 42nd anniversary of Plyler v. Doe, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that made it unconstitutional to exclude undocumented children from public school. Plyler continues to be vitally relevant today, even in our own city: no student should be – or legally can be – turned away because of their immigration status. Learn more in our Guide to the Legal Rights of Immigrant Families in NYC Schools: https://lnkd.in/eEHHNfuv