Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)
CLASS is a research-based observation instrument developed at the University of Virginia that measures the quality of teacher-student interactions. Unlike rubric-based evaluation tools, CLASS uses a 1-to-7 scoring scale across three broad domains and is widely used in pre-K through 12th grade settings, Head Start programs, and teacher preparation.
The CLASS is organized into 3 domains, 10 criteria, and a 3-level rating scale.
Used nationally in Head Start programs, pre-K settings, and school districts across multiple states.
Domains and Criteria
The CLASS domains and criteria
Emotional Support
- Positive Climate
- Negative Climate
- Teacher Sensitivity
- Regard for Student Perspectives
Classroom Organization
- Behavior Management
- Productivity
- Instructional Learning Formats
Instructional Support
- Concept Development
- Quality of Feedback
- Language Modeling
Rating Levels
CLASS rating levels
Giving feedback on the CLASS
The slow part is the write-up
Aligning observation evidence to every CLASS domain and standard by hand, for every teacher and every visit, is what eats a principal's week. Observation Copilot does that mapping for you.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered CLASS feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right CLASS domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share. Walkthrough notes return a focused single-indicator debrief; full lesson observations return a multi-domain rubric-aligned report.
- Organizes observation notes by the three CLASS domains and their dimensions
- Generates feedback aligned to Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support indicators
- Helps identify patterns across CLASS dimensions from your observation scripting
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific CLASS indicators
- Reduces post-observation write-up time for principals and instructional coaches
Frequently Asked Questions
CLASS FAQ
- What is the CLASS observation tool?
- A research-based observation instrument developed at the University of Virginia that measures the quality of teacher-student interactions across 3 domains, scored on a 1-to-7 scale. It is widely used in pre-K through 12th grade and Head Start settings.
- What are the domains of CLASS?
- CLASS is organized into 3 domains: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.
- What does CLASS stand for?
- CLASS stands for the Classroom Assessment Scoring System.
- How is CLASS scored?
- CLASS uses a 1-to-7 scoring scale, with scores grouped into three ranges: Low (1-2), Mid (3-5), and High (6-7).
Related Reading
CLASS Resources for Principals
50 Teacher Observation Feedback Examples (Organized by Framework Domain)
50 specific teacher observation feedback examples organized by framework domain, each tied to evidence and a next step principals can use.
Read more
FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or Your Own: How Observation Copilot Aligns to Any Framework
Whether you use Danielson FFT, T-TESS, Marzano, or a custom rubric, Observation Copilot aligns feedback to your framework.
Read more
Walkthroughs vs. Formal Observations: When Each One Helps and When It Hurts
Walkthroughs and formal observations serve different purposes. Here's how principals balance both in a coaching cycle that actually grows teachers.
Read more
Writing Better Observation Notes: Tips for Getting the Most Out of AI-Powered Feedback
AI-generated feedback is only as good as your observation notes. Practical tips for writing notes that produce better, more specific results.
Read more
The Post-Observation Conversation: How to Make the 15 Minutes After Feedback Count
Delivering feedback is only half the job. Here's how to structure the post-observation conversation so teachers grow from it.
Read more
Ready to streamline your CLASS observations?
Start generating framework-aligned feedback in seconds.