All Things CLASS

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

It is my understanding that once you have had training for observation reliability then pass you are reliable. The training does cover some of the principles of developmental appropriateness. However once you have pass the test for reliability then you are reliable. Just my opinion.

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Lisa Diggs
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Yes, I agree that they are considered reliable because they pass the test. But, would that person be the best choice to do reliability observations on another certified CLASS observer? From my understanding, once a reliability observation is completed, then there should be a timely conversation and coaching that follows for learning purposes. If the reliability observer is a plumber with no ECE knowledge or experience other than a CLASS training and passing a test, do they really have the skills, language, and knowledge to coach another observer?
Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 12:19
From: Lisa Diggs
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

It is my understanding that once you have had training for observation reliability then pass you are reliable. The training does cover some of the principles of developmental appropriateness. However once you have pass the test for reliability then you are reliable. Just my opinion.

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Lisa Diggs

Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

I think you bring up some interesting points. You mention assessing and coaching, and I think it's important to consider those sets of skills separately because they represent different types of competencies. The same individual might be able to do both, but it is also important that they have been trained in both. The CLASS Observer Certification enables individuals to collect valid, reliable CLASS data; it is not intended to prepare an individual to be an effective coach (although learning to observe is an important part of being an effective coach). 

I typically think about coaching in the context of a teacher-mentor that is providing feedback based on the observation that was conducted. It sounds like you might be talking about coaching in another context - where an observer is receiving feedback on the quality of their observation. Am I understanding that right? Here at Teachstone, we absolutely encourage regular observer supports, such as double coding and calibration. I'm curious to learn more about  the approaches you are taking in supporting the validity of your data collection. 



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Emily Doyle
Director of Community and Credentialing
Teachstone
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 12:47
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Yes, I agree that they are considered reliable because they pass the test. But, would that person be the best choice to do reliability observations on another certified CLASS observer? From my understanding, once a reliability observation is completed, then there should be a timely conversation and coaching that follows for learning purposes. If the reliability observer is a plumber with no ECE knowledge or experience other than a CLASS training and passing a test, do they really have the skills, language, and knowledge to coach another observer?
Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 12:19
From: Lisa Diggs
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

It is my understanding that once you have had training for observation reliability then pass you are reliable. The training does cover some of the principles of developmental appropriateness. However once you have pass the test for reliability then you are reliable. Just my opinion.

------------------------------
Lisa Diggs

Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

This is a great question! I actually just responded to a similar, but opposite, question in this thread here:
Veteran teacher as CLASS Observer

There are no prerequisites for being a CLASS observer other than attending a CLASS training and passing the test to become certified. If your observers are certified, that means they should provide accurate observations whether they are former teachers or not!

If you have any concerns about their fidelity to the tool, you can always set up a CLASS Calibration as well.

Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback!

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Erin Sabina
Charlottesville VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

I do not think it is a good idea for someone that is not reliable to observe and why would you observe if you have no knowledge of ECE. We are in the process of observing our Teachers and I have been coaching the Teachers because they are not aware of what we will be looking for during the observation.

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Patsy Mason
Education Coordinator
Fairview Heights IL
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

Original Message------

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

There is no 'experience' requirement for being a CLASS observer.  The only requirement is that you demonstrate reliability by passing the test after attending training.

If an individual with no background in ECE is able to pass the reliability test then they are able to accurately observe and assess developmentally appropriate practices through a CLASS lens.  After all, that's what achieving reliability demonstrates.

I also agree with the comments about coaching being different than observing.  While there is overlap, each requires a different skill set.

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Mary Ann Cusator
Fresno CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

Wow! That's a great question. I have known people without a high school diploma to work as a childcare teacher for more than four years and o one ever knew. Or did they know? I don't think anyone without experience or qualification should work as an observer, childcare teacher, or teacher. That's just my personal opinion because I your heart is not in the profession then the job is not being done effectively it is being done just to receive a check.

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Original Message------

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

Great information @Emily Doyle I wonder what the background for our observers across the board is.
We have assessors and coaches that have diverse backgrounds. While we do have many team members that have ECE background, we also have staff with background in Language Acquisition, Language and Literacy, Special Education, and Early Intervention...among others. We tend to supplement an individuals knowledge when we find a gap in classroom knowledge in a variety of ways as well.  ​​​

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Virginia Maya
Phoenix AZ
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-22-2019 13:58
From: Melody Carter Teacher
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

Wow! That's a great question. I have known people without a high school diploma to work as a childcare teacher for more than four years and o one ever knew. Or did they know? I don't think anyone without experience or qualification should work as an observer, childcare teacher, or teacher. That's just my personal opinion because I your heart is not in the profession then the job is not being done effectively it is being done just to receive a check.

Disclaimer:
The HIPAA Final Privacy Rule requires covered entities to safeguard
certain Protected Health Information (PHI) related to a person's
healthcare. Information being faxed to you may include PHI after
appropriate authorization from the patient or under circumstances
that do not require patient authorization. You, the recipient, are
obligated to maintain PHI in a safe and secure manner. You may not
re-disclose without additional patient consent or as required by
law. Unauthorized re-disclosure or failure to safeguard PHI could
subject you to penalties described in federal (HIPAA) and state
law. If you the reader of this message are not the intended
recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to
the intended recipient, please notify us immediately and destroy
the related message.


Original Message------

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?

Certified observers are trained in the CLASS tool, if they pass the certification they are reliable. It is not the job of an observer to bring their background/previous knowledge or experience into an observation. In fact that would make the data less reliable.

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Rosemary Bellerive
Dudley MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-21-2019 11:56
From: Anonymous Member
Subject: CLASS Observers with no ECE background

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

Is it appropriate to select reliability observers who have no early childhood background, knowledge, or experience? Let's say your education and experience is in a completely unrelated field to education and early childhood, but you went through the training, passed the test, and became a certified CLASS observer. Would you be fit to do reliability observations? Without the education and experience, do you really know what developmentally appropriate practices are and what to look for?