Research, Publications & News

RJED PUBLICATIONS

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

We are excited to share that Dr. Tom Cavanagh recently authored a chapter in the 2025 book, The Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM), Constructs, Evidence, Applications, and Implications for Facilitating Change, published by Sage College Publishing. We are particularly grateful for the collaborative efforts with Sun Prairie School District in Wisconsin. Their ongoing implementation and commitment to creating a Culture of Care during the last several years provided the essential data for the case study featured in this chapter. We would also like to specifically thank Dr. Michael Morgan at Sun Prairie School District for your continued efforts in ensuring that the proper systems and trainings are in place for your staff to create a Culture of Care.

Case Study: Three Middle Schools, Utilizing the Stages of Concern (SoCQ) for Facilitating the Implementation of a Culturally Appropriate Change Initiative

Chapter Abstract
In this chapter a new area of study is explored. The blending of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) with a Maori Ethical Framework was chosen as the model for this case study. The intervention in question, Creating a Culture of Care in Schools based on Restorative Justice Principles and Practices and Culturally Appropriate Relationships and Interactions, is based on Maori values that are important for entering into a respectful research process. A blending of the CBAM assumptions and the Maori values were used to analyze and interpret the data collected using CBAM’s Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ) . The problem is that there is a lack of understanding about how to conduct "implementation assessments" as a change process is unfolding in a school implementing a Culture of Care. This study will explore the experiences of educators participating in the Culture of Care intervention at two urban middle schools in the midwest regarding what are the concerns of the participants preventing full implementation of the intervention. The purpose of this mixed methods case study is to gain an understanding about conducting "implementation assessments" as a change process is unfolding. The theory supporting this case study is He Awa Whiria, which focuses on braiding western and indigenous knowledge streams in research, policy, and practice. The statistical results for participants in the SoCQ survey show they are operating in the “self” and “task” stages of concern. The results of the quantitative and qualitative analyses indicated that (a) a focus on creating a Culture of Care schoolwide based on restorative justice principles and practices is required, as well as a focus on learning rather than content delivery; (b) schools need to embed a vision for a new school culture based on the needs and wants of the culturally diverse community the school serves; and (c) the school district superintendent and individual school principals need to support a vision for change by word and action.

For more information about the book, please click on the book above.

PAPER PRESENTATION

Strengthening Relationships to Respond to Challenging Behaviors of Culturally Diverse Children in Schools in New Zealand and the United States

Dr. Tom Cavanagh's paper, "Strengthening Relationships to Respond to Challenging Behaviors of Culturally Diverse Children in Schools in New Zealand and the United States", was presented at the 2025 AERA (American Education Research Association) Annual Meeting to be held in Denver Colorado.

This paper discusses the following - Historically interventions such as multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) were implemented to respond to challenging behaviors in schools. Fifteen years ago an intervention known as a culture of care in schools was introduced In the United States. This paper shows how a culture of care in schools not only blends with other interventions being used by schools in the United States and New Zealand but also helps those interventions to be more culturally appropriate. Conceptually Culture of Care and Huakina Mai are based on socio-cultural theory, and MTSS is based on the theory of ABA. In this paper we think about how to braid these two theories together to create the next step in the application of these interventions.

BOOK PUBLICATION

Creating a Culture of Care in Schools:
A Basic Primer

In this book author Dr. Tom Cavanagh shares insights into the theories and thinking that are the foundation of his work. Dr. Cavanagh describes in some detail the ideas behind the Intro to Culture of Care training. This work is dedicated to helping schools create a Culture of Care, based on restorative justice principles and practices and culturally appropriate relationships and interactions.

POSTER PRESENTATION

Creating a Culture of Care at CSU

This poster presentation was displayed during the 2024 College of Health and Human Services Research Day at Colorado State University (CSU). Highlighting Dr. Tom's research and experiences, he collaborated with his students to chronicle how a Culture of Care was studied and created over the span of 20+ years.

CASE STUDY PUBLICATION

The Paintball Case

“The Paintball Case” is a case study, similar to those used to teach people about the law or
management. The intent of this case study that Dr. Tom published in 1998 is to teach people about restorative justice based on a real life application.

RJED NEWSLETTERS

We invite you to read and explore what is going on in our world. We hope to bring you relevant content in the world of restorative principles and practices and periodically highlight events, people, schools, and research. We also want to connect you with other passionate educators that are committed to this important work; co-creating with you, a system of support and a community of practice!

Feel free to share your journey with us at [email protected] and if you are open to it, we may publish your progress in an upcoming newsletter.

-The RJ Ed Family

SHARING GOOD NEWS

CELEBRATING A DECADE OF CREATING A CULTURE OF CARE IN SCHOOLS

November 2024

We at RJEd are grateful and ecstatic to be celebrating our 10 year anniversary! We could not have done it without the support, passion, and commitment from our RJEd facilitators, schools, districts, and service related organizations & programs (just to name a few).

We at RJEd are humbled and so appreciative of the wonderful people we have had the privilege to work with and learn from during these past 10 years. Because of all of you, a Culture of Care is being created across the nation and around the world! Thank you all for being co-creators of a Culture of Care alongside us in the beautiful journey!

-The RJ Ed Family