Research briefs, policy analyses, and educational resources from the Cage Free Voices team — grounding our work in evidence and advocacy.
Why CFV Rise Exists
An in-depth look at the systemic challenges facing American education — from a national literacy crisis and school closures to student safety concerns and chronic absenteeism. This brief establishes the foundation for why CFV RISE was built.
An analysis of public statements, federal oversight implications, and what families need to know
A thorough analysis of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public statements on autism and disability policy, exploring the federal oversight implications for neurodiverse students and outlining how the CFV RISE model is designed to respond to today's fragmented system.
How cognitive profiling, multisensory engagement, and expressive arts transform reading outcomes
Published in GESS Education, this white paper presents a neuro-inclusive literacy framework built around five instructional pillars — from cognitive literacy integration to public demonstration of learning. Field data shows participants gaining 0.5 to 4 grade levels of reading growth within 4–10 weeks, with 85% of neurodivergent learners making measurable fluency gains.
WHUT/PBS spotlight on neuro-inclusive literacy and the Cage Free Voices model
Featured during Autism Acceptance Month, this PBS/WHUT profile highlights Bathsheba Smithen's work building neuro-inclusive literacy ecosystems through Cage Free Voices. The piece explores how CFV challenges outdated educational paradigms with a holistic model grounded in Universal Design for Learning and the Science of Reading, developed across D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, and Nigeria.
Virginia Tech News profiles Bathsheba Smithen's journey from housing projects to educational innovation
This Virginia Tech News feature tells the story of Bathsheba Smithen '06 — from growing up in a Newport News housing project to founding Cage Free Voices, an edutainment company that uses music, spoken word, and performance-based learning to unlock academic potential. The piece highlights her work with Virginia Tech's College Access Collaborative program for first-generation college students.