CLASS™
What do good teachers do to foster learning?
The CLASS tool measures teacher–child interactions and helps you target areas for improvement
The quality of teaching can vary greatly, even in classrooms led by highly credentialed teachers. What has been found to be more important than certificates or degrees are the interactions between teachers and students and what teachers do with the materials they have.
To accurately assess factors directly tied to student learning—including positive and negative classroom climate, teacher sensitivity, language modeling, and behavior management—Dr. Robert Pianta and his colleagues developed the Classroom Assessment Scoring System™ (CLASS™). Researched for over 15 years in more than 3,000 early childhood settings, these valid, reliable observational tools objectively measure the quality of teacher–student interactions. With versions for toddler programs, Pre-K programs, and K–3 classrooms, the CLASS tools help pinpoint areas of strength and areas for growth, providing critical information programs and schools can use to guide improvement efforts.
NEW CLASS products
CLASS Toddler and a Spanish version of CLASS Pre-K are now available! And with the new Dimensions Guides for Pre-K (in English or Spanish) and K–3, you’ll give teachers a reader-friendly introduction to the dimensions assessed by the CLASS tool and give them practical teaching tips for each one.
Sign up to receive a free, sample CLASS Dimensions Overview.
Step 1
Starting at the beginning of a school day, observe activity in the classroom for 20 uninterrupted minutes, paying special attention to the teacher’s instructional interactions and behaviors; assign rating scores for each dimension on the Observation Sheet
Step 2
Repeat the observation-and-recording cycle up to six times during the school day for the most complete, accurate picture of teacher-student interactions
Step 3
Calculate scores across cycles and domains with the Scoring Summary Sheet for an at-a-glance look at areas of strength and weakness
Step 4
Use the results to inform program planning, shape in-service teacher training, and provide teachers with feedback that helps strengthen their skills
At a glance
What is the CLASS tool?
A valid, reliable observational tool that objectively measures the quality of teacher–child interactions in early childhood programs and early elementary classrooms.
What age range does it cover?
Toddlers to third-grade students
How long does it take?
The CLASS tools require 30-minute cycles for observation and scoring, repeated up to 6 times over 3 hours
Who completes it?
Administrators, supervisors, principals, program directors, researchers
Is it valid and reliable?
Yes, the CLASS tool was researched for over 10 years as part of the NCEDL Multistate and Sweep Studies and The NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Together, these studies conducted observations in more than 3,000 pre-K to third grade classrooms.
Is training required?
Reliable use of the CLASS tools requires training. The two-day CLASS Observation Training prepares observers to use the measure accurately and culminates with a test and one-year CLASS observer certification. For more information on recommended training, availability, and scheduling, please visit the Teachstone website.