What is CLASS 2nd Edition?
Field-sourced enhancements to CLASS create a more equitable, efficient, and effective path to meaningful interactions. In July of 2022, CLASS 2nd Edition for Pre-K–3rd will be available.
CLASS 2nd Edition will include an updated CLASS manual, an enhanced CLASS observation training, and a new supplemental measure of quality: CLASS Environment.
These enhancements and tools were created in response to the most urgent needs of the field while also maintaining the core structures of CLASS. With CLASS 2nd Edition, you can build on existing investments and infrastructure—making it easy to experience these enhancements.
CLASS 2nd Edition will include an updated CLASS manual, an enhanced CLASS observation training, and a new supplemental measure of quality: CLASS Environment.
Why are we making these updates to CLASS?
CLASS 2nd Edition gives you improved tools to drive meaningful interactions in your programs, supporting children’s learning and development. CLASS 2nd Edition allows you to:
- Center on Equity to ensure CLASS reflects and supports the communities it serves.
- Increase Access and ease of use for CLASS users.
- Measure for Impact to drive actionable insights for educators to make optimal improvements in the areas that matter most for children.
What research was consulted or conducted in identifying the enhancements for CLASS 2nd Edition?
Throughout the development of CLASS 2nd Edition we focused on gathering information about the elements of CLASS that would be most impactful to improve upon as we continue to refine CLASS as the gold-standard system for continuous quality improvement. In the course of that work it was clear that the field was asking for us to build upon the foundation of CLASS, while working to:
- Provide greater support for using CLASS equitably across a diverse range of programs and settings;
- Increase access to CLASS, decreasing barriers to use at broad scale; and
- Build additional aligned tools and items that enhance the impact of CLASS by measuring more of what matters in the classroom.
Over the past few years we have engaged in an intentional research and design process, working to incorporate feedback and learning from a range of experts including practitioners (teachers, coaches, leaders, policymakers) and researchers. This comprehensive process included:
- Consultations with subject matter experts in areas including culturally responsive teaching across settings, family child care, tribal early childhood programs, trauma informed care, social and emotional learning, executive functioning, literacy, science, and math.
- Reviews of quantitative and qualitative research on culturally responsive teaching and use of CLASS in diverse settings.
- Focus groups with teachers, coaches and leaders across many states and localities.
- Piloting components of CLASS 2nd Edition through video and live methods and engaging in revisions based on extensive internal coding and video review.
Because the core structure of CLASS remains the same we are confident that the existing evidence for CLASS impacts continues to be relevant with the 2nd Edition. And we are excited to be partnering with the research community to release new findings on CLASS 2nd Edition as they become available. Stay tuned for more to come soon!
When will CLASS 2nd Edition be available?
The updated Observation Training (Pre-K–3rd) and CLASS 2nd Manual Set (Pre-K–3rd) are now available.
CLASS Environment (Infant/Toddler, Pre-K/K) Observer Training and CLASS Environment (Infant/Toddler, Pre-K/K) Teacher Course are now available.
When should my program transition to CLASS 2nd Edition?
To ensure data comparability, programs should make a full transition to CLASS 2nd Edition observation versus a rolling transition approach. Connect with one of our CLASS Consultants to learn more about transitioning your program.
If CLASS is currently used as an accountability system for your program, please follow the guidance from your system. If you are new to CLASS, we welcome you to experience the enhancements of CLASS 2nd Edition.
Is my current CLASS Manual or Observation Training certification still valid?
CLASS Observers have the opportunity to certify on CLASS 2008 and CLASS 2nd edition. Certification is reached when an individual completes the edition-specific training (either through Observation Training or the Transition Course) and passes a reliability test.
Observers that are certified on CLASS 2008 must complete an observer transition training and reliability test in order to collect Second Edition CLASS data.
Observers that were previously certified on CLASS 2008 and complete the 2nd Edition certification are considered certified on both editions and may collect data aligned with the appropriate CLASS manual and scoresheet.
Do currently certified, reliable observers need to retrain and recertify on CLASS 2nd Edition?
Observers should transition to CLASS 2nd Edition based on the data collection plans of their organization. For example, if an organization will continue to collect CLASS 2008 data, then the observer may recertify on CLASS 2008. Conversely, if an organization is transitioning to CLASS 2nd Edition, then the observer should complete the transition pathway outlined here.
How does the new CLASS Environment measure fit into my CLASS implementation?
CLASS® Environment is a new optional measure of quality that is designed for use in infant/toddler and pre-k/kindergarten environments. Used alongside the CLASS Tool, the environment is observed at the same time as the interactions, thus empowering any organization to begin using CLASS® Environment once they are ready. Ahead of an observation, the observer needs to have completed the low-cost CLASS Environment Observer Training, and it’s recommended that teachers have also completed the complimentary CLASS Environment Teacher PD course.
CLASS® Environment can be used alongside CLASS to measure the elements of interactions and environment that matter most to children’s development and learning. For many systems the combination of CLASS and CLASS Environment can take the place of using two different measures that require separate training and observation, such as CLASS and ECERS. However it is important to note CLASS Environment was not designed as a comprehensive measure of all elements of the environment and does not measure elements such as health and safety that are typically assessed as a part of licensing.
How does CLASS 2nd Edition impact Head Start programs?
We are continuing our close partnership with the Office of Head Start, and are committed to continuing to serve all Head Start programs. We are working closely with OHS to review impacts, explore options, and create an impactful and meaningful path forward. The specific changes to the use of CLASS in Head Start will be communicated out from the Office of Head Start.
How does CLASS 2nd Edition better support Family Child Care providers?
One of the main goals of the CLASS 2nd Edition enhancement was to better and more broadly represent the variety of settings in which children are cared for. As such, we’ve made intentional updates in the CLASS 2nd Edition to be more inclusive, representative, and offer guidance for the use of CLASS and observing interactions across family child care settings.
Where can I learn more about CLASS 2nd Edition?
You can learn more about CLASS 2nd Edition at our upcoming webinars.
How long will Teachstone continue to support CLASS 2008?
Teachstone will continue to support CLASS 2008. We anticipate that partners will have time to move over to 2nd Edition by summer of 2024. You can find new CLASS (2008) trainings on our website.