All Things CLASS

Hi,

These are, obviously, unprecedented times.  I'm sure there are likely many reliable observers who have been unable to get into classrooms to conduct CLASS observations in the past few months, due to temporary program closures and/or new protocols in place at centers that will not allow "outside" coaches, observers, etc. into classrooms in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  

My question is this...Will Teachstone consider "extending" each reliable observer's certification expiration date due to these extenuating circumstances?  I think it would be reasonable and fair to observers to extend each expiration date by at least three months (ie: if the expiration date is 6.30.2020, the revised expiration date would be 9.30.2020).  The testing is important yet very time-consuming and costly, especially for those who re-certify at more than one level annually.  And, for some, budgets have really been stretched these past few months.

Thanks so much for considering.

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Cindy Wickham
Firestone CO
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I contacted Teachstone in April and was told (and have an email stating) that I would have an additional 16 weeks, but when I logged in, it does not show that.

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Sonja Bolton
Sulphur Springs TX
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Cindy,

I was wondering the same thing, since we are not able to conduct classroom observations for the foreseeable future.   It would be beneficial to extend the expiration date to support observers, whose incomes have likely been impacted by the constraints of the pandemic.

 

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Laurene Phillips
Boulder CO
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Hi @Cindy Wickham, Sonja, and Laurene, we know everyone's situations are changing and up in the air. In order to track these needs, we're asking everyone who may need an extension or special support to reach out to our customer support team. They are approving extensions on a case by case basis for now. We want to help you and your program and will try to work with you to find a good solution!

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Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone
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Hi Liz,
Thanks for the response and the direction. I will reach out through the email you provided. That being said, it is hard to predict how long this situation will last. It is entirely possible that CLASS observers may not be able to enter classrooms (if they are “outside” observers) for a few more months, but it is difficult to estimate what a fair extension would be. I do think that it is fair to say that most, if not all observers, have likely been in this situation for a minimum of three months. I wish Teachstone would consider a “blanket” extension for that length of time for all observers, and consider additional extensions on an individual basis as appropriate. Thanks for “listening”.
Cindy Wickham


Original Message:
Sent: 6/9/2020 10:56:00 AM
From: Liz Savage
Subject: RE: Recertification--consider extending expiration date

Hi @Cindy Wickham, Sonja, and Laurene, we know everyone's situations are changing and up in the air. In order to track these needs, we're asking everyone who may need an extension or special support to reach out to our customer support team. They are approving extensions on a case by case basis for now. We want to help you and your program and will try to work with you to find a good solution!

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Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone
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Hard to predict for sure! I've passed your feedback along to our team here. Thank you for sharing it.  

I will also say, a number of programs and observers I've talked to have begun talking about what remote observations will look like using video footage of classrooms. That may be something your program or classrooms think about in the fall as well.

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Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2020 12:24
From: Cindy Wickham
Subject: Recertification--consider extending expiration date

Hi Liz,
Thanks for the response and the direction. I will reach out through the email you provided. That being said, it is hard to predict how long this situation will last. It is entirely possible that CLASS observers may not be able to enter classrooms (if they are "outside" observers) for a few more months, but it is difficult to estimate what a fair extension would be. I do think that it is fair to say that most, if not all observers, have likely been in this situation for a minimum of three months. I wish Teachstone would consider a "blanket" extension for that length of time for all observers, and consider additional extensions on an individual basis as appropriate. Thanks for "listening".
Cindy Wickham



Original Message:
Sent: 6/9/2020 10:56:00 AM
From: Liz Savage
Subject: RE: Recertification--consider extending expiration date

Hi @Cindy Wickham, Sonja, and Laurene, we know everyone's situations are changing and up in the air. In order to track these needs, we're asking everyone who may need an extension or special support to reach out to our customer support team. They are approving extensions on a case by case basis for now. We want to help you and your program and will try to work with you to find a good solution!

------------------------------
Liz Savage
Community Manager
Teachstone
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