In-Progress CE-IDEA Research: Examining MTSS and Equity in Special Education

Project affiliate Dr. Jane Jeong and Project PI Dr. Catherine Voulgarides have been collaborating on an ongoing study examining how Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are framed in relation to equity and disproportionality in special education.

Drawing on multiple sources of data, this work explores how MTSS is positioned across different layers of the educational system, particularly in how state-level actors communicate, interpret, and operationalize equity-focused initiatives. Rather than focusing on MTSS as a standalone framework, the study considers how it is embedded within broader institutional and policy contexts that shape its meaning and implementation.

This work was recently presented at the Association for Education Finance and Policy (AEFP) Conference 2026, where early insights contributed to ongoing conversations on equity-oriented policy and systems-level reform.

By examining these dynamics, the study aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the possibilities and limitations of MTSS as an equity-oriented reform effort. This work is currently in progress and will continue to evolve as analysis deepens. Stay tuned!