Advocates for Children of New York

AFC’s Education Helpline provides answers to your school-related questions, including

  • the best school programs for a child
  • options for student in need of medical accomodations
  • school transfers
  • special education evaluations, programs, services;
  • promotional standards and timing of specialized high school exams;
  • options available for bilingual educaiton and ESL;
  • school discipline and suspension issues

English and Spanish spoken (212) 947-9779 – http://www.advocatesforchildren.org

 

Alternate High School Programs

offers information on the various alternative schools in NYC, GED programs, adult education and more :http://schools.nyc.gov/Offices/District79

 

Association for the Help of Retarded Children

offers general and educational advocacy services to people of all ages with developmental disabilities who are experiencing difficulty accessing services or have problems with services being rendered.  Generally provides assistance with education related issues, and possibly with other issues.  Provides training for parents and professionals. (212)780-2500 http://www.ahrcnyc.org/services/services.htm

 

Cornerstone Learning Center, Inc.

Provides tutoring, workshops on school, college, career and life skills and a week long college tour out of the city.  Academic summer day camp for middle school students.  Help kids improve their academic skills through the efforts of volunteer tutors.  West 65th Street location (212)362-3920.

 

Head Start of New York City

NY School District pre-school program designed to meet each child’s individual needs in a developmenally appropriate setting.  Also concentrates on family focused health, nutrition, and social serviceshttp://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/dowloads/pdf/headstart_directory.

 

HomeworkNYC.org

Find answers to homework questions! New site contains study guides, tips for writing research papers, online calculator, guides to best books, websites, magazines, printable library card application, links to “Ask a Librarian” and “Dial -A- Teacher” for live and online homework help. http://www.homeworknyc.org

 

Inside Schools

From registration to graduation, everything you need to knwo about the NYC school system.  Includes parent discussion forum and a section on where to get help.  Information on gifted programs as well.  Sponsored by Advocates for Children.  Helpline (212) 947-9779. Many languages spoken. http://www.homeworknyc.org

 

Liberty Partnerships Program Barnard College

Academic and social supportive services to intermediate, middle, junior or senior high school students who need help to complete high schools.  Broad range of comprehensive services to increase students’ desire to learn and their abilities, with the goal of entering college of the work force. (212)854-7520 –http://www.barnard.edu/liberty/

 

Literacy Assistance Center

Provides information about literacy programs for adults, out of school youth and families.  Free and low cost programs in ESL, adult education and GED preparation. (212) 803-3300 http://www.lacnyc.org/

 

Living for the Young Family through Education

Provides comprehensive services to meet the needs of teenage parents who wish to stay in school or resume their education.  Provides a school-based child care program for the babies of teenage parents (212) 348-0608

 

National Center for Learning Disabilities

NCLD’s mission is to increase public awareness and understanding of learning disabilities, conduct educational programs, and provide national leadership in shaping public policy.  Site includes information on types of learning disabilities and how to obtain and advocate for services (888)575-7373 – http://www.ncld.org/

 

New York City Department of Education

This site provides everything everyone might want to know about the Department of Education.  Lots of information for parents, students, educators, including a complete listing of public schools by region, district and borough, Special Education District 75, alternative high schools and programs, charter schools, high school directory, new schools, summer school and more.  Call 311 – http://schools.nyc.gov

 

New York Public Library

Free classes in English for speakers of other languages are offered at 20 branches in association with Riverside Language Program. (212)3400918 – www.nypl.org/classes/esol.html
U.S. Department of Education

Many resources just for parents, from preparing one’s child for school, to finding schools, helping children read, special needs. – www.ed.gov/parents/landing/jhtml?

 

New York State Department of Education

Just the Facts for NY Parents– The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is a federal law to improve education for all children. It holds schools responsible for results, gives parents greater choices, and promotes teaching methods that work. These fact sheets provide important information specifically for parents about NCLB and are available in either PDF or HTML format and in both English and Spanish.

Laws, Regulations and Educational Policy– Information about the legislation and educational policy that affects students in New York.

  • Asian American Parent Association (AAPA)– Organization addresses concerns facing our children’s K-12 education, provides opportunities for the exchange of ideas on issues related to education, and organizes activities that support student development.
  • Council for Exceptional Children– The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.
  • Healthy Schools Network, Inc. (HSN)– HSN is a 501c3 national environmental health not for profit organization, centered on children, and dedicated to assuring every child and school employee an environmentally safe and healthy school through: research, information and referral, advocacy, and coalition-building.
  • National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)– An organization of parents, educators, other professionals and community leaders who unite to address the unique needs of children and youth with demonstrated gifts and talents as well as those children who may be able to develop their talent potential with appropriate educational experiences.
  • National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education– “encourages collaboration at all levels — families, educators, communities, policy makers — in an effort to assist all children, regardless of societal, economic, family, linguistic, and/or disability conditions”.
  • New York State PTA– This site includes links to local and regional PTA websites.
  • New York State School Boards Association– The Association provides current information and advice on matters affecting school boards and cooperates with other educational and related organizations in promoting excellence in education.
  • Parents Helping Parents (PHP): Helping Children with Special Needs– The Family Resource Center (Santa Clara,CA): information for parents to meet special needs; chat with other parents and search or download the PHP’s National Resource Directory.
  • The National PTA– Includes links to PTA programs, membership information, publications, and child advocacy organizations.

http://www.nysed.gov/

PTAlink – An online resource for parents in New York City public schools. Designed to support the work of parent leaders and parent organizations, it contains information on parent leadership opportunities, PTA development and administration, fundraising, and parent-run school activities and events. (For the sake of convenience, PAs and PTAs collectively are referred to as PTAs.) – http://ptalink.org/