Overview
In FY 2009, regionally based trainings will be conducted on the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) instrument and how it can be used by programs in professional development and quality improvement efforts. Programs are not required to participate in these trainings, however all costs, including travel for participants, will be covered by the Office of Head Start. At least one staff member from every Head Start grantee and delegate agency will be able to participate in these trainings.
The training is designed for staff whose responsibilities include the supervision and/or professional development of teaching staff (i.e. education coordinators or similar positions). The training will give participants the capacity to use the CLASS instrument to assess and improve classroom quality in their programs.
The trainings will be three full days in length. The first two days of training will be on the CLASS instrument with each participant working to become a reliable CLASS assessor. The third day will focus on how participants can use such a tool in professional development. Participants will receive a CLASS manual and other materials as well as access to professional development materials for use in their programs.
Head Start programs serving less than 500 children will be able to send one staff member to these trainings. Programs serving between 500 and 1,000 children will be able to send two staff members, those with 1,001-2,000 children will be able to send three staff members; and programs serving more than 2,000 children will be able to send four staff members. All participants should have responsibility for classroom observation, supervision and/or professional development of teaching staff.
The Office of Head Start views this training as an effort to increase familiarity with a tool that may be part of monitoring in the near future and to introduce a research-based classroom observational system that is linked to professional development to all programs. This training is not intended to fully equip most programs to implement CLASS in their programs nor are programs in anyway required to do so.
FUNDING
In order to assure that grantees will be able to attend this important training, the Office of Head Start will make funding available. These funds are intended to cover such costs as travel, lodging and meals.
In most cases, we expect it would be simpler for grantees to cover participation costs using current grant funds and then to submit a supplemental funding request to their OHS Regional Office for the actual costs incurred in attending the CLASS Trainings. Delegates must coordinate participation with your grantee who will submit one grant application on behalf of the grantee and all delegates.
Please direct any questions regarding funding to your OHS Regional Program Manager.
The training is designed for staff whose responsibilities include the supervision and/or professional development of teaching staff (i.e. education coordinators or similar positions). The training will give participants the capacity to use the CLASS instrument to assess and improve classroom quality in their programs.
The trainings will be three full days in length. The first two days of training will be on the CLASS instrument with each participant working to become a reliable CLASS assessor. The third day will focus on how participants can use such a tool in professional development. Participants will receive a CLASS manual and other materials as well as access to professional development materials for use in their programs.
Head Start programs serving less than 500 children will be able to send one staff member to these trainings. Programs serving between 500 and 1,000 children will be able to send two staff members, those with 1,001-2,000 children will be able to send three staff members; and programs serving more than 2,000 children will be able to send four staff members. All participants should have responsibility for classroom observation, supervision and/or professional development of teaching staff.
The Office of Head Start views this training as an effort to increase familiarity with a tool that may be part of monitoring in the near future and to introduce a research-based classroom observational system that is linked to professional development to all programs. This training is not intended to fully equip most programs to implement CLASS in their programs nor are programs in anyway required to do so.
FUNDING
In order to assure that grantees will be able to attend this important training, the Office of Head Start will make funding available. These funds are intended to cover such costs as travel, lodging and meals.
In most cases, we expect it would be simpler for grantees to cover participation costs using current grant funds and then to submit a supplemental funding request to their OHS Regional Office for the actual costs incurred in attending the CLASS Trainings. Delegates must coordinate participation with your grantee who will submit one grant application on behalf of the grantee and all delegates.
Please direct any questions regarding funding to your OHS Regional Program Manager.