CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS): Understanding the CLASS Framework, Dimensions, & Uses

THE “CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM (CLASS): Understanding the CLASS

Framework, Dimensions, & Uses”, Training Information is intended for internal training

purposes only.

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Content Order:

Facilitator’s Guide

Power Point Slides

CLASS-AT-A- GLANCE

(Activity Sheet)

Improving Teacher

Practice(Handout)

Understanding and Using The

CLASS for Program Improvement

Evaluations

Trainer:

_____________________________

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FACILITATOR’S GUIDE

UNDERSTANDING THE CLASS

Developed by

LACOE Head Start-State Preschool

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MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

MATERIALS EQUIPMENT

For the Instructor: PowerPoint® Slides

Post It-Notes Course Evaluation Form Extra Pens and Pencils Markers

For Participants:

CLASS-AT-A-GLANCE(Activity Sheet) Improving Teacher Practice on

CLASS(handout)

NCQTL CLASS brief-Understanding & Using The CLASS for Program Improvement(handout)

For the Instructor: Flip charts(Class Dimension Labeling)

Laptop LCD Projector

ICON GLOSSARY

SPECIFIC SLIDE FOR USE DURING THE EXPLANATION

SMALL GROUP EXERCISE

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Training Overview

ABOUT THIS TRAINING

The goal of this course is to enable participants to better understand the

CLASS frame work and it’s potential uses.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is designed for Head Start directors, education managers, mentor coaches, teachers, and others using Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observation results obtained from OHS monitoring and program/grantee-level

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

When participants complete this training they will gain an understanding of:

the CLASS dimensions

the CLASS framework and its potential uses

the connections between effective teacher-child interactions (as measured by the CLASS) and child outcomes

the importance of using CLASS

the types of strategies that can be used to enhance child interactions

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TRAINING SCHEDULE

Tasks Expected Time

Understanding The CLASS:

Introduction /House Keeping

CLASS Overview

5 minutes

Discussion:

What contributes to a high quality classroom?

Activity: Written Strategy on Post-It -Notes

Group Share

15 minutes 5 minutes

5 minutes

5 minutes

What is the CLASS:

What is the CLASS

Why Use CLASS

How is the CLASS observation instrument organized?

CLASS-At-A-GLANCE

Activity Sheet :CLASS-At-A-GLANCE

CLASS Resources

45 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes

10 minutes

5 minutes 5 minutes

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Emotional Support

Group Discussion-Group Support

10 minutes 5 Minutes 5 Minutes

CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION:

Classroom Organization

Group Discussion: Classroom Organization

15 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

Instructional Support

Group Discussion-Instructional Support

15 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes

Conclusion:

Discussion/Activity-Placing of attributes on charts

Closing: Q& A-Evaluations

15 minutes 10 minutes

5 minutes

Total Training Time 2 Hours

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The listed times are approximates and should be verified during classroom preparation. Be sure to allot time for breaks if necessary.

CLASS PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Task

Obtain and test LCD projector and personal computer

Obtain flip charts and markers: 1 for every 4-5 participants

Copy participant materials. For each participant:

CLASS-AT-A GLANCE Worksheet

Improving Teacher Practice on CLASS(handout)

NCQTL CLASS Brief-Understanding & Using The CLASS for Program Improvement(handout)

Workshop evaluation form

Post-It-Notes

Flip Charts

Obtain and test PowerPoint file (PDW-PPT)

CLASSROOM SETUP

Arrive early to setup the classroom.

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Training Instruction

INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING THE CLASS

Expected Time: 5 minutes

_______________________________________________________________________

Introduction

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS

Welcome the participants and introduce yourself

ppt. slide #1

Explain housekeeping items, such as break times, restroom locations, etc.

CLASS Overview Outcomes

ppt. slide #2

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DISCUSSION

Expected Time: 15 minutes

_______________________________________________________________________

Discussion: What contributes to a high quality classroom?

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS

ppt. slide #3

Before we begin exploring the CLASS, let’s talk a bit about what YOU know to be important contributions to a high quality classroom. - Allow a couple of Pop Up

answers

Instruct group participants, to write one strategy per post-it-note provided and add to their table chart.

Ask the groups, to share strategies with all participants

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WHAT IS THE CLASS

Expected Time: 45 minutes

_______________________________________________________________________

WHAT IS THE CLASS

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS 10 Minutes

What is the CLASS?

ppt. slide #4

Additional thoughts:

- The CLASS was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Virginia with the purpose of assessing classroom quality

- It helps observers structure observations by providing a common lens for observing classrooms (the CLASS lens)

CLASS Cycles What CLASS Measures

Who uses the CLASS

ppt. slide #5 ppt. slide #6

ppt. slide #7

Why use the CLASS? 5 Minutes

Review the following slides ppt. slide #8 ppt. slide #9 ppt. slide #10 ppt. slide #11 ppt. slide #12

How can CLASS results be used?

ppt. slide #13

How is the CLASS observation instrument organized?

10 Minutes

Review slide ppt. slide#14

Organization of the CLASS instrument ppt. slide #15

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SAY:

- The CLASS focuses on three broad domains of effective interactions that characterize children’s classroom experiences.

- Each domain is compromised of multiple dimensions of effective interactions known to contribute to children’s success in school….we will look at each domain in detail later

CLASS-AT-A-GLANCE 10 Minutes

SAY: - The CLASS focuses on three

broad domains of effective interactions that characterize children’s classroom experiences.

- At the broadest level there are three domains that contribute to the CLASS definition of classroom quality: EMOTIONAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT.

ppt. slide #16

CLASS-AT-A-GLANCE ppt. slide #17

Activity Sheet In groups, have participants work

together to decide which of the Dimensions fit within each of the Domains

Display 2nd CLASS-AT-A-GLANCE slide with indicators

ppt. slide #18

Have Participants take a few moments to check their group work

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Briefly allow a few participants to share their results

CLASS Resources 5 Minutes

Ask participants to refer to the handout produced by the National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning (NCQTL).

- Additional resources can be located on ECLKC

- Have participants take out their Dimensions Guide to refer to and/or take notes in during the presentation

- Refer participants to page 2 of the Dimensions Guide for slightly more extensive domain descriptions

- Refer participants to page 3 of the Dimensions Guide for a similar diagram of the CLASS Observation Tool.

The remainder of the book will provide the Indicators and Behavioral Markers associated with each Dimension

ppt. slide#19

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EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

Expected Time: 10 minutes

_______________________________________________________________________

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS 5 Minutes

Review each of the dimensions and ask participants to follow along in their dimensions guide:

- Positive Climate: The emotional tone of the classroom and the connection between teachers and students.

- Negative Climate: The absence of Positive Climate

- Teacher Sensitivity: Awareness of and responsibility to students academic and emotional concerns.

- Regard for Student Perspectives: The degree to which teachers’ interactions with students and classroom activities place an emphasis on students interests, motivations, and points of view.

ppt. Slide #20

Emotional Support 5 Minutes

Group discussion - Allow groups to discuss

amongst themselves the types of things they would observe related to Emotional Support and it’s dimensions.

- POP UPS: Briefly allow participants randomly share key points from their discussions

- Refer to Emotional Support Strategies handout for more practices if needed.

ppt. slide #21

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CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION

Expected Time: 15 minutes _______________________________________________________________________

CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS 5 Minutes

Classroom Organization ppt. slide #22

Review each of the Dimensions and ask participants to follow along in their Dimensions Guide:

- Behavior Management: Teachers ability to use effective methods to prevent and redirect misbehavior.

- Productivity: Teachers ability to manage instructional time and routines to maximize time for learning.

- Instructional Learning Formats: How teachers facilitate activities and provide interesting materials so that students are engaged and learning opportunities are maximized.

Classroom Organization 10 Minutes

Review ppt. slide 23

Group Discussion: - Allow groups to discuss the types of

things they would observe related to Classroom Organization and it’s dimensions .

- POP UPS: Briefly allow participants to share key points from their group discussions.

Refer to Class Organization Strategies handout for more practices if needed.

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INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

Expected Time: 15 minutes

_______________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS 5 Minutes

Instructional Support ppt. slide #24

Review each of the Dimensions and ask participants to follow along in their Dimensions Guide:

- Concept Development: How teachers promote students higher-order thinking skills in contrast to a focus on rote instruction.

- Quality of Feedback: How teachers extend student’s learning through their response to students’ ideas, comments, and work.

- Language Modeling: The extent to which teachers facilitate and encourage students’ language.

Instructional Support 10 Minutes

Review slide

ppt. slide #25

Group Discussion: - Allow groups to discuss the types of

things they would observe related to Instructional Support and it’s dimensions.

- POP UPS: Briefly allow participants to share key points from their group discussions.

Refer to Instructional Support Strategies handout for more practices if needed.

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CONCLUSION

Expected Time: 15 minutes _______________________________________________________________________

DISSCUSSION

SCRIPT/KEY POINTS

10 Minutes

Discussion ppt. slide #26

Say: - At the beginning of the session, we

started by discussing attribute of a high-quality classroom. Now that we have reviewed the CLASS, let’s take a moment to reframe those attributes.

- Have participants place attributes that were written earlier onto one of the appropriate charts around the room:

- Emotional Support

- Classroom Organization

- Instructional Support

- Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS)

- Other

Based on this activity, encourage participants to see CLASS as a way of enhancing what is already being done in many classrooms

Closing/Evaluation 5 Minutes

Review Slide

ppt. slide #27

Make sure to pass out an evaluation form for every participant