Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

1. Classroom Assessment
Scoring System (Class)
Suzanna Shihan
11/17/2013
EDUU325

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. AGE AND TARGET GROUP
CLASS for :
Toddler – 15 to 36 months
Pre-K - 3 to 5 years old
K-3 - Kindergarten to Grade 3
Upper Elementary – Grades 4 to 6
Secondary – Grades 7 to 12

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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..

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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)