Complete Guide To CLASS®

What Is the CLASS® tool?

CLASS stands for the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® , an observation tool that measures what matters most in early learning: the quality of educator–child interactions. But CLASS is more than a tool. It’s a system for continuous quality improvement that helps programs in three ways:

Focus on meaningful interactions.
Measure those interactions consistently.
Improve teaching practices to support every child’s growth.

By centering on interactions at the heart of continuous improvement, educators can help ensure every child has an opportunity to grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Programs and school districts worldwide use the proven power of the CLASS tool to improve interactions and child outcomes.

Leaders are asking the important questions:

How can educators interact with children to best support learning and development?
How can they use time and materials to get the most out of every moment?
How can they ensure that children are engaged and stimulated?

Researchers designed the CLASS tool to answer these questions, and over time, programs worldwide started using this evidence-based system. Today, the CLASS tool is the most widely used measure for assessing the quality of educator-child interactions.

An educator and a young student are smiling while playing with blocks at a table.

In 2022, Teachstone® announced CLASS 2nd Edition. Informed by over a decade of user feedback, CLASS 2nd Edition builds on this proven foundation to strengthen the effectiveness of interactions from birth through 3rd grade. With comprehensive tools, guidance, and role-specific learning experiences, the CLASS 2nd Edition suite helps early childcare programs measure interactions, drive CLASS implementation, and provide growth-focused professional development.

Why Does CLASS® Matter?

Interactions are the strongest predictors of children’s academic, social, and emotional outcomes.
The CLASS framework provides a common language to measure and improve interactions.
At scale, the CLASS suite supports system-wide quality improvement and workforce development.

How does CLASS® work?