SRF Program

  • Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

    VEYLDF Alignment

    Item uses these practice principles: Reflective practice, High expectations for every child, Integrated teaching and learning approaches, Respectful relationships and responsive engagement, Equity and diversity.

    Item responds to these sub-outcomes: Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes, Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media, Children engage with a range of texts and get meaning from these texts, Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work, Children use information and communication technologies to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking.

    Description

    CLASS assesses emotional and instructional elements of  quality in early childhood educational environments by measuring child-teacher interactions in a classroom setting. It can be used for research and program evaluation, and to improve the practices of educators and teachers.

    Following training in CLASS, the provider can coach participants to embed appropriate strategies in educational programs.

    Training dates change regularly based on demand. For current details, visit the provider's website.

    Detailed Costs

    Two-day training per person: $1600 (excl. GST)

    Scale manual: $38.

    Implementation Considerations

    Target population: educational leaders and kindergarten teachers.

    Staffing: a certified CLASS observer must conduct the classroom observations and assessments: teachers cannot use CLASS to self-assess.

    It is helpful if two professionals from one setting attend training to support implementation and application of CLASS.

    Services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.

    Factors to consider: educators who become certified in CLASS and conduct observations and assessments in other rooms may require backfill in order to conduct the observations.

    Training requirements: using CLASS requires training to be able to make consistent qualitative judgements. CLASS includes two observational tools, one for kindergarten classrooms and one for Prep to Year 3 classrooms. Training for each is a two-day workshop.

    Australian experience: the Melbourne Graduate School of Education provides CLASS training.

    Priority Area

    Communication, Wellbeing (social and emotional), Access and inclusion

    Strength of Evidence

    Considered a valid assessment tool