Cara Richards-Tutor

Dr. Cara Richards-Tutor is a Professor in the Department of Advanced Studies in Education and Counseling at the College of Education, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She serves as Coordinator of the Urban Dual Credential Program (UDCP) and Co-Director of the Center to Close the Opportunity Gap. Her work bridges research, policy, and practice in special education and equity-focused teaching.

Her research focuses on evidence-based interventions for students at-risk for learning disabilities and English Learners. She is a leading expert in the Response to Intervention (RTI) model and Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Her scholarship emphasizes effective instructional practices, teacher development, and closing achievement gaps in diverse urban schools.

Dr. Richards-Tutor has contributed to prominent special education journals such as Exceptional Children, Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, and Assessment for Effective Intervention. She co-authored the book Response to Intervention and English Learners: Using the SIOP Model (Pearson), integrating sheltered instruction with RTI frameworks. Her research has been supported through large-scale projects including the Center for Research on the Educational Achievement and Teaching of English Language Learners (CREATE) and Project EQALS, where she served as Co-Principal Investigator.

She is an active leader in the field, serving on the executive board of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division of Research. Her work emphasizes collaboration with local schools to implement systemic supports that enhance outcomes for marginalized student populations.

Dr. Richards-Tutor advises students through her role as Coordinator of the Master of Science in Special Education and the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP), as well as the Urban Dual Credential Program. She has led externally funded research grants, including federal and foundation-supported studies focused on teacher preparation and educational equity. Her leadership extends to directing research centers and shaping policy through the Center to Close the Opportunity Gap.

She is affiliated with the Center to Close the Opportunity Gap and has been integral in developing clinical and research partnerships between CSULB and local school districts. These collaborations focus on practitioner-driven inquiry, professional development, and sustainable school reform models that promote inclusive education and social justice.