Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

What is CLASS?

CLASS® is a set of age specific instruments that a program can use to measure interactions between teachers and children in a classroom. There is a CLASS instrument for use with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age groups.

The assessment process includes a series of 15-20-minute observations focused on practices that include:

Responsive Caregiving
Emotional Support
Classroom Organization
Instructional Support
Emotional and Behavioral Support
Engaged Support for Learning

The CLASS can be used for internal assessment or utilized with a Program Quality Assessor.

Which program(s) could use CLASS?

CLASS can be used in center-based programs.

How does CLASS support Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)?

The information gathered from a CLASS assessment can be used by a program to help identify positive teacher interactions, as well as areas for improvement. This information can then be added to quality improvement plans.

CLASS assessment process

External CLASS assessments are conducted by a reliable CLASS assessor from the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) team.

Internal CLASS assessments are conducted by the program’s internal assessment (IA) team. The program’s IA team partners with the Quality Coach and CLASS Assessor when planning for and conducting internal assessment and when analyzing the information collected during the internal assessment process. Please see How to Conduct an Internal Assessment Using the CLASS for detailed information on using the CLASS for internal assessment.

Subscriptions for myTeachstone Offered

myTeachstone is an online professional development and coaching platform that enhances skills as seen through the lens of CLASS. The platform supports teachers, coaches, observers, and administrators, by streamlining CLASS implementation through providing access to a library of research-based courses, videos, documents, and links.

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Key are offering teachers a 1-year subscription to myTeachstone. Enrollment space at no cost. Space is limited and based on slot availability. Applications can be requested by emailing myTeachstone-PA@pakeys.org.