Classroom Assessment Scoring System (Class)

Suzanna Shihan11/17/2013EDUU325

INSTRUMENT PURPOSE

To support teachers’ unique professional development needs, set

school-wide goals, and shape system-wide reform at the local, state,

and national level.

The CLASS focuses on the quality of classroom interactional

processes. This differs from other measurement tools that focus on

the content of the physical environment, available materials, or a

specific curriculum.

TYPE OF TEST

A trained and certified CLASS observers visit classrooms or view classroom video, recording observations and assigning numerical codes related to each of the CLASS dimensions. The CLASS codes provides a snapshot of the classroom interactions that are working well along with areas for growth.

DEVELOPMENTAL DOMAIN

The CLASS is organized to assess three broad domains of interactions among teachers and children.

Emotional Support

Positive Climate

Negative Climate

Teacher Sensitivity

Regard for Student Perspectives

Classroom Organization

Behavior Management

Productivity

Instructional Learning Formats

Instructional Support

Concept Development

Quality of Feedback

Language Modeling

Literacy Focus

AGE AND TARGET GROUP

CLASS for :Toddler – 15 to 36 monthsPre-K - 3 to 5 years oldK-3 - Kindergarten to Grade 3Upper Elementary – Grades 4 to 6Secondary – Grades 7 to 12

SCORING

Class measure focuses on interactions that support learning. No matter which age or grade level of tool you use, developmentally appropriate interactions are organized into domains and dimensions.

RESULTS

CLASS result will used to improve the teacher child interaction as effective teacher child interaction is very important for Child Development and Classroom Management.

CLASS result will provide - Child – Emotional Support Teacher – Classroom Organization Parent – A Quality, Reliable Program for their Children School – Improve the Quality of the Program

RELIABILITY

University of Virginia, the Gate Foundation’s Measures of Effective Teaching Study proves that CLASS scores are reliable - Trained and certified observers code classrooms consistently, so scores reflect a teacher’s interactions with students and are not partial to a specific observer, group of students, or subject matter..

VALIDITY

University of Virginia, the Gate Foundation’s Measures of Effective Teaching Study proves that CLASS scores are significantly related to the variables that matter most for schools and students: teachers’ value-added scores, students’ academic performance, and students’ social development.

SENSITIVITY AND SPECIFICITY

The CLASS has been validated in classrooms with diverse cultural backgrounds.

The data from the National Center for Early Development and learning (NCEDL) studies suggest that the CLASS can reliably assess the quality of teacher-child interaction in a wide variety of classrooms serving diverse populations of children.

PRACTICALITY AND COST

The CLASS tool is used by teachers, administrators, researchers, and data collectors for a variety of purpose - Teacher preparation, Teacher performance assessment, Professional development, Program monitoring, Research and evaluation.

The Observer should be trained and certified CLASS Observer to do the CLASS observation. This is a two day training and the initial cost of this training is $850, and needs to be renewed once a year $100. If the certified observer fails the test to become recertified, he has to pay the full price $850.

CLASS Discussion tool kits are around $990 and the Scoring sheets are around $30

The CLASS training and Tool Kits could be purchased at Teachstone.org

References

CLASS Teachstone. (n.d.). Teachstone. Retrieved November 15, 2013, from

http://www.teachstone.com/

Head Start. (n.d.). Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) -. Retrieved

November 15, 2013, from http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-

system/teaching/eecd/Assessment/Classroom Assessment Scoring System

(CLASS)