Phoenix, Arizona — EquityEd Curriculum Solutions, founded by Joyce Ann Dinglasan-Cayosa, today announced the launch of a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing one of the most persistent challenges in American education: ensuring equitable access to high-quality literacy and numeracy instruction for students with disabilities in underserved communities.
Transforming Special Education Through Curriculum Innovation
The new program, “Designing and Implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Curriculum Model for Disability-Inclusive Literacy and Numeracy Instruction in Underserved U.S. Schools,” represents a forward-looking response to critical gaps in special education. Rooted in evidence-based instructional practices and aligned with federal frameworks such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), this initiative is designed to close achievement gaps, improve teacher capacity, and enhance compliance with national educational mandates.
“Across the United States, students with disabilities—particularly in low-income and rural districts—continue to lag in literacy and numeracy outcomes due to systemic inequities,” said Joyce Ann Dinglasan-Cayosa, founder of EquityEd Curriculum Solutions. “This initiative provides not just a framework, but a practical model for sustainable improvement that empowers both educators and students.”
Founder’s Expertise and Leadership
Ms. Dinglasan-Cayosa brings over a decade of professional experience in special education and curriculum development, including service as a high school special education teacher and instructional leader in Arizona and New Mexico. Her credentials include an International Certification in Special Education K–12, Mild/Moderate Disabilities issued by the Arizona Department of Education, specialized training in LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), and participation in nationally recognized professional conferences on legal and instructional issues in special education.
Her leadership roles span district-level curriculum planning, professional development delivery, mentorship of novice special educators, and design of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that consistently achieved above-average student progress. Through these accomplishments, she has earned recognition as both a practitioner and an innovator capable of bridging policy and classroom practice.
National Relevance of the Initiative
This initiative speaks to urgent national needs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 65% of students with disabilities perform below basic proficiency levels in reading and mathematics, with even lower outcomes in underserved districts. At the same time, the federal government has increased its focus on equity through policies such as the U.S. Department of Education’s Equity Action Plan (2022) and ongoing funding for Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants.
By integrating MTSS, which emphasizes tiered intervention and data-driven instruction, the EquityEd model directly supports these federal priorities. Moreover, it contributes to broader national strategies such as President Biden’s Advancing Equity Executive Order (EO 13985), ensuring that marginalized learners are not left behind.
“This is more than a curriculum model—it is a policy-aligned framework that brings underserved schools into compliance while elevating student achievement,” Dinglasan-Cayosa emphasized.
Core Program Components
The initiative will be implemented in four strategic phases:
- Research & Framework Development (Months 1–4)
- Compilation of federal, state, and district-level compliance requirements.
- Development of a comprehensive MTSS model integrating literacy, numeracy, and functional skills.
- Pilot Program Launch (Months 5–9)
- Implementation in selected underserved schools.
- Baseline and mid-year assessments to evaluate effectiveness.
- Professional Development Rollout (Months 10–18)
- Training for educators and administrators on MTSS integration.
- On-site coaching and virtual capacity-building support.
- Expansion & Replication (Months 19–36)
- Adaptation of the model for additional districts and states.
- Presentation of outcomes at national education conferences.
Measurable Outcomes and Accountability
EquityEd Curriculum Solutions has set clear and measurable benchmarks, including:
- IEP Goal Attainment: 15% increase in student achievement of IEP goals within one year.
- Standardized Test Gains: Documented improvements in literacy and numeracy assessments aligned with state benchmarks.
- Teacher Competency: Increased proficiency in MTSS implementation based on pre- and post-training evaluation.
- Compliance Assurance: 100% adherence to participating schools’ IDEA and ESSA reporting requirements.
These goals will be documented through data-driven evaluations, ensuring that policymakers and funders can track progress and impact transparently.
Unique Value and Underserved Focus
Unlike traditional programs, this initiative explicitly focuses on underserved districts where teacher shortages, lack of professional training, and outdated curricula exacerbate achievement gaps. EquityEd’s approach is unique in its integration of functional literacy and numeracy with disability-inclusive practices, ensuring that special education students receive instruction on par with their general education peers.
The model also introduces capacity-building for educators, ensuring long-term sustainability beyond the pilot phase. The initiative fosters systemic improvement rather than short-term intervention by equipping teachers with tools and ongoing coaching.
Policy Alignment and Strategic Partnerships
EquityEd Curriculum Solutions’ MTSS initiative is designed to align with and support federal and state-level education priorities, including:
- IDEA (2004) Reauthorization: Mandating individualized and inclusive educational opportunities.
- ESSA (2015): Prioritizing evidence-based interventions and accountability for student outcomes.
- National Center on Intensive Intervention (NCII): Guidance on MTSS and RTI implementation.
- U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): Current emphasis on equity in disability services.
The consultancy is also seeking partnerships with school districts, universities, and education-focused nonprofits to ensure broad adoption and scalability.
Looking Ahead
The long-term vision of EquityEd Curriculum Solutions is to establish regional hubs for disability-inclusive curriculum development, ensuring that states and districts can replicate successful models. Plans include:
- Hosting annual national summits on MTSS innovation.
- Publishing impact reports with case studies and best practices.
- Collaborating with policymakers on legislation and funding priorities supporting inclusive education.
About the Founder
Joyce Ann Dinglasan-Cayosa is a licensed special educator with more than ten years of professional experience in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and disability-inclusive teaching. She holds international certification in Special Education K–12, Mild/Moderate Disabilities from the Arizona Department of Education and founded EquityEd Curriculum Solutions, a registered consultancy in Arizona. She is dedicated to advancing educational equity through her consultancy, particularly in underserved U.S. communities.
For Collaboration, Speaking Engagements, and Partnership Opportunities
Joyce Ann Dinglasan-Cayosa welcomes opportunities to collaborate with school districts, educational leaders, professional associations, and academic institutions committed to advancing equity in special education and literacy. She offers customized training, keynote speaking, and capacity-building workshops through her consultancy, EquityEd Curriculum Solutions.
For inquiries related to partnerships, speaking engagements, or media features, please contact:
Jose T. Dizon
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