Baltimore, MD, November 28, 2007 - Brookes Publishing is pleased to introduce a groundbreaking tool from one of the foremost experts in early childhood education research. The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), developed by Dr. Robert C. Pianta, education professor at the University of Virginia, is the only observational tool that reliably measures teacher–child interactions in the pre-kindergarten and K–3 classrooms. Research shows that the interactions between students and teachers are the primary mechanism of student development and learning and strongly affect outcomes.

With the No Child Left Behind Act approaching reauthorization, the definition of a "highly qualified" teacher and its impact on outcomes has renewed importance. Most often, "highly qualified" refers to the teachers' degrees, certification, and training. In a recent commentary in Education Week, Dr. Pianta calls for new criteria. He states, "being certified or having a master's degree doesn't guarantee interactions with students that produce learning." Pianta's research shows that "Watching teachers in action, using systematic, validated observational approaches, allows trained observers to see very clearly what good teachers do to foster learning." (Education Week, November 2007). CLASS allows educators to collect information and provide feedback on the quality of classroom teaching.

Dr. Pianta was part of the research team funded by the National Institute of Health and Human Services (NICHD) that studied and observed more than 2,500 classrooms for over 10 years. The results from this study lead Dr. Pianta to conclude, "The evidence is quite clear that it is the teacher's implementation of a curriculum, through both social and instructional interactions with children that produces effects on student learning. Classroom observations provide the most valid information on the educational experiences of young children" (Education Next, January 2007).

CLASS is the only tool that measures teachers' interactions in the classroom and the only tool that can help ensure that all children receive high-quality educations.  

For more information on the CLASS observation tool available from Brookes Publishing, go to www.brookespublishing.com/class2007. To learn more about CLASS training at the University of Virginia go to www.classobservation.com.