CLASS
CLASS is an observation instrument developed to assess quality in classrooms. CLASS focuses on 3 domains-Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support. Each domain has dimensions that characterize the domain: Emotional Support which includes: Positive Climate, Negative Climate, Teacher Sensitivity, Regard for Student Perspective. Classroom Organization includes: Behavior Management, Productivity, Instructional Learning Formats. Instructional Support which includes: Concept Development, Quality of Feedback, Language Modeling. Four twenty minute observations are conducted by a CLASS Reliable observer and scored. Each observation is scored on a scale from 1 to 7. One being the lowest and 7 being the highest.
Central Kentucky CAC Head Start leadership is familiar with research demonstrating the importance of teacher-child interactions in helping promote positive outcomes for children. The second key component of the Central Kentucky CAC Head Start School Readiness Plan focuses on teacher-child interactions. The team identified two goals for this component:
• Ensure that all classrooms provide effective social, organizational, and instructional teacher-child interactions.
• Systematically use professional development resources to target areas of practice across classrooms, as well as provide more intensive support to teachers most in need.