All About the Classroom Assessment Scoring System

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) is a research-based method of measuring, evaluating, and improving teacher-child interactions.

The CLASS, developed at the University of Virginia, focuses on teacher-child interactions. Results of the CLASS help early childhood professionals understand and improve their teaching practices and classroom environments.

Bright & Early ND utilizes three scales, each designed for a different segment of the early childhood field.

  • Infant CLASS: This tool is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children birth to 18 months.
  • Toddler CLASS: This tool is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children 19-35 months.
  • Pre-K CLASS: This tool is designed to assess effective teacher-child interactions in care environments serving children ages 3 to 5 years.

Each subscale of the CLASS tools is scored on a 7-point scale, with a score of 1 and 2 considered to be low-range; 3, 4, and 5 are mid-range; and 6 and 7 are high range. A typically cycle for the CLASS involves about 20 minutes of observing followed by 10 minutes of scoring.

Program Quality Observation

Programs participating in Bright & Early ND receive the benefit of an onsite Program Quality Observation completed by a trained, reliable, and endorsed ERS® or CLASS® Assessor.

The Program Quality Observation provides valuable, relevant feedback in the form of a summary report. This information can be used by the program to help identify program strengths, as well as raise awareness to areas needing development. The information gathered can be used to help create the program’s Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

Programs are encouraged to work closely with their QRIS Coach to find the right time to request an observation. The type of observation received, either ERS® or CLASS®, is dependent on what step the program is working towards. Programs can request an observation anytime throughout a Bright & Early ND cohort.

Ready for a Program Quality Observation? Contact your program’s assigned QRIS Coach for details.

Quality Indicator RI.5 Training Details

To meet the requirements of indicator RI.5, all Lead Teachers and/or all Lead Caregivers must complete professional development related to interactions with children. Learn the basics of the CLASS instrument, domains, and dimensions. This course is designed to help participants learn about effective teacher-child interactions, as defined by the CLASS tool, and the ways these interactions help children learn.

The Introduction to the Infant CLASS is a bundle of courses and includes the following:

  • Learn About Relational Climate (15 minutes)Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Facilitated Exploration (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Early Language Support (15 minutes)
  • Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Responding with Developmentally Appropriate Practice (30 minutes)
  • Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Observing Children’s Cues (15 minutes)
  • Infant-Toddler Caregiving: Nurturing Attachment with Teacher Sensitivity (20 minutes)

The Introduction to the Toddler CLASS is a bundle of courses that includes the following:

  • Learn About Positive Climate (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Negative Climate (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Regard for Child Perspectives (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Behavior Guidance (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Facilitation of Learning and Development (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Quality of Feedback (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Language Modeling (15 minutes)

The Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS is a bundle of courses including the following:

  • Learn About Positive Climate (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Negative Climate (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Teacher Sensitivity (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Regard for Student Perspectives (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Behavior Management (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Productivity (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Instructional Learning Formats (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Concept Development (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Quality of Feedback (15 minutes)
  • Learn About Language Modeling (15 minutes)

The Introduction to the Infant CLASS, Introduction to the Toddler CLASS, and Introduction to the Pre-K CLASS are a bundle of courses that are delivered online, self-service, through the myTeachstone platform. Attendees must be participating in Bright & Early ND and have an active myTeachstone account.

Additional Resources