This paper aims to explore pre-kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of the level of support provided by school districts in the implementation of dimensions, examined by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Survey and focus group data were gathered from 15 pre-kindergarten teachers within a Southern Louisiana school district. Survey data indicate that some teachers do not feel confident or knowledgeable enough to effectively implement CLASS domains. Through the focus group, teachers offered insightful feedback on the specific style of support and professional development opportunities that may assist in furthering the understanding of CLASS evaluation. Future research examining teachers’ perceptions of their CLASS performance will aid in creating targeted and meaningful professional development support systems.
References
[1]
Allar, I., Jones, E., & Bulger, S. (2018). Using I Am Moving, I Am Learning to Increase Quality Instruction in Head Start Classrooms. Early Childhood Education Journal, 46, 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-017-0843-0
[2]
Connors-Tadros, L., & Hororwitz, M. (2014). How Are Early Childhood Teachers Faring in State Teacher Evaluation Systems? CEELO Policy Report, Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes.
[3]
Hambre, B., Goffin, S., & Kraft-Sayre, M. (2009). Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS): Implementation Guide.
https://www.vbgrowsmart.com/providers/Documents/CLASSImplementationGuide.pdf
[4]
Hamre, B. K., Pianta, R., Downer, J. T., DeCoster, J., Mashburn, A. J., Jones, S. M., Brown, J. L., Cappella, E., Atkins, M., Rivers, S. E., Brackett, M. A., & Hamagami, A. (2013). Teaching through Interactions: Testing a Developmental Framework of Teacher Effectiveness in over 4,000 Classrooms. The Elementary School Journal, 113, 461-487. https://doi.org/10.1086/669616
[5]
La Paro, K. M., Williamson, A. C., & Hatfield, B. (2014). Assessing Quality in Toddler Classrooms Using the CLASS-Toddler and the ITERS-R. Early Education and Development, 25, 875-893. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2014.883586
[6]
Martella, J., & Connors-Tadros, L. (2014). Center on Great Teachers and Leaders at American Institutes for R.
[7]
Mashburn, A. J., Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., Downer, J. T., Barbarin, O. A., Bryant, D., Howes, C. et al. (2008). Measures of Classroom Quality in Prekindergarten and Children’s Development of Academic, Language, and Social Skills. Child Development, 79, 732-749. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01154.x
[8]
Pianta, R. C., La Paro, K. M., & Hamre, B. K. (2008). Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Manual, Pre-K. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co.
[9]
Reinking, K. A. (2015). Early Childhood Teacher Assessment: Observation, Feedback, and Self-Assessment. Current Issues in Education, 18.
https://cie.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/cieatasu/article/view/1362
[10]
Gaches, S., & Hill, D. (2017) Power and Assessment: A Genealogical Analysis of the CLASS. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, 14, 125-142.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15505170.2017.1335253
[11]
Downer, J. T., Booren, L. M., Lima, O. K., Luckner, A. E., & Pianta, R. C. (2010). The Individualized Classroom Assessment Scoring System (in CLASS): Preliminary Reliability and Validity of a System for Observing Preschoolers’ Competence in Classroom Interactions. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 25, 1-16.