Earn a CLASS® Certification and Change the World, One Interaction at a Time
Driving high-quality interactions is continuous, yet critical work. Support creating life-changing educational experiences for all children by making the commitment to deepen CLASS knowledge and expertise in your program with certifications for observers, coaches, and leaders.
CLASS Observer Certification
A CLASS observer is certified to collect CLASS data in a classroom setting for the designated age level:
- Infant (birth – 18 months)
- Toddler (15 – 35 months)
- Pre-K (3 – 5 years)
- K-3 (kindergarten – 3rd grade)
- Upper Elementary (4th – 6th grade)
- Secondary (7th – 12th grade)
To receive this certification you:
- Do not need any formal prerequisites
- Attend a CLASS Observation Training
- Pass a reliability test after training
To maintain certification you need to pass an annual recertification test.
Register for CLASS Observation Training
Purchase an Observer Recertification
Access Observer Support Resources
Affiliate CLASS Trainer Certification
An Affiliate CLASS Trainer is certified to deliver CLASS Observation Training and the Introduction to the CLASS Tool Training to their colleagues for the designated age level:
- Infant (birth – 18 months)*
- Toddler (15 – 35 months)
- Pre-K (3 – 5 years)
- K-3 (kindergarten – 3rd grade)
*The infant age-level is currently only available as an add-on. To be certified for the infant age group, you must be certified in another age level prior to adding the infant certification.
To receive this certification you:
- Need to have an active CLASS observer certification for the same age-level
- Ideally have experience collecting CLASS data
- Attend a CLASS Train-the-Trainer
- Sign an annual agreement with Teachstone
To maintain certification you need to:
- Pass an annual recertification test that will renew both your Observer and Affiliate certifications
- Sign an annual agreement with Teachstone
Register for a Train-the-Trainer
CLASS Group Coaching (MMCI) Certification
A CLASS Group Coaching Coach is certified to deliver CLASS Group Coaching, Making the Most of Classroom Interactions (MMCI) to teachers in his/her program. This semester-long course consists of in-depth exploration of the CLASS dimensions and small group coaching sessions to support teachers in improving classroom interactions for the designated age group:
- Infant/Toddler (birth – 35 months)
- Pre-K (3 – 5 years)
- K-3 (kindergarten – 3rd grade)
To receive a year-long provisional certification you:
- Need to have an active CLASS observer certification for the same age-level
- Ideally have experience coaching and/or training teachers
- Attend a CLASS Group Coaching (MMCI) Training
- Sign an agreement with Teachstone
To receive the full certification you:
- Submit videos delivering CLASS Group Coaching to teachers in your program for formal review
- Receive validation of 3 videos being of sufficient quality
- Maintain CLASS Observer certification on the age level(s) of all teachers you support
- Sign an annual agreement with Teachstone
Certifications expires every year after date of initial training and to maintain certification you must:
- Pay an annual recertification fee
- Sign an annual Teachstone agreement
Register for CLASS Group Coaching Training
CLASS 1-on-1 Video Coaching (MTP) Certification
A CLASS 1-on-1 Video Coach is certified to deliver CLASS 1-on-1 Video Coaching, myTeachingPartner (MTP), to teachers in his/her program. This individualized and research-proven coaching model supports teachers for the designated age group in which the coach holds an active CLASS observer certification.
To receive a 10-month provisional certification you:
- Need to have an active CLASS observer certification for the age level(s) of all teachers you support
- Ideally have experience coaching teachers
- Attend a CLASS 1-on-1 Video Coaching Training
- Engage in monthly myTeachstone activities and correspondence
- Attend at least 90% of group and individual calls
- Meet effectiveness criteria for at least 8/9 coaching competencies
To receive the full certification you need to complete the following requirements within the 10 months:
- Conduct at least 10 coaching cycles with at least 2 teachers
- Attend at least 80% of Teachstone monthly support calls
- Maintain effectiveness criteria for at least 8/9 coaching competencies
- Maintain CLASS Observer certification on the age level(s) of all teachers you support
To deliver coaching, you must have an active CLASS Observer certification for the age level(s) of all teachers you support and an active CLASS 1-on-1 Video Coaching, myTeachingPartner certification.
To renew, you must pay an annual recertification fee.