---
title: How to Create a CLASS Observation Plan
description: You're about to start CLASS observations in your program, but where do you start? How do you create an actionable plan that will get you the results you need?
image: https://info.teachstone.com/hubfs/CLASS-goals.jpg
---

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- The CLASS Framework
  
    - [What is CLASS](https://teachstone.com/class/)
    - [CLASS 2nd Edition](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-edition/)
    - [For Leaders](https://teachstone.com/leaders/)
    - [For Observers](https://teachstone.com/for-observers/)
    - [For Coaches](https://teachstone.com/for-coaches/)
    - [For Educators](https://teachstone.com/for-educators/)
    - [For CLASS Affiliates](https://teachstone.com/for-class-affiliates/)
    - [For Head Start](https://teachstone.com/headstart/)
    - [Research](https://teachstone.com/research/)
- Products and Trainings
  
    - [Getting Started with CLASS](https://teachstone.com/getting-started-with-class/)
      
          - [CLASS® 2nd Edition Infant-Toddler](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-edition-infant-toddler/)
          - [CLASS® 2nd Edition Pre-K-3rd](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-edition-pre-k-3rd/)
          - [CLASS Overview for Leaders](https://teachstone.com/a-class-overview-for-leaders/)
          - [CLASS 2nd Edition Intro to Interactions for Educators](https://teachstone.com/intro-to-interactions-for-educators/)
    - [CLASS Environment](https://teachstone.com/class-environment/)
      
          - [CLASS Environment Observer Training](https://teachstone.com/class-environment/#environment-observer-training)
          - [CLASS Environment Overview for Educators](https://teachstone.com/class-environment/#environment-educator-training)
    - Observer Training & Certification
      
          - [CLASS Train-the-Trainer Affiliate Program](https://teachstone.com/class-train-the-trainer/)
          - [CLASS Affiliate Trainer Recertification](https://store.teachstone.com/trainer-recertification-new/)
          - [CLASS 2nd Edition Measurement Trainer Program](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-measurement-trainer/)
          - [CLASS Observer Recertification](https://store.teachstone.com/observer-recertification-new/?showHidden=true)
          - [CLASS Observation Certification Training](https://teachstone.com/class-observation-training/)
    - [Transition Supports](https://teachstone.com/class-observer-supports/)
      
          - [CLASS Group Coaching Transition Training](https://teachstone.com/class-group-coaching-transition-training/)
          - [CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Transition Training](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-observer-transition-training/)
          - [CLASS 2nd Edition Trainer Transition Training](https://teachstone.com/class-2nd-edition-trainer-transition-training/)
          - [CLASS Trainer Add-Ons](https://teachstone.com/trainer-add-ons/)
    - [Program Services & Support](https://teachstone.com/program-services-support/)
      
          - [CLASS Coding Support](https://teachstone.com/coding-support/)
          - [CLASS Quality Improvement Subscription **New!**](https://teachstone.com/myteachstone/)
          - [CLASS Observation Services](https://teachstone.com/class-observation-services/)
          - [Custom Events by Teachstone](https://teachstone.com/custom-events/)
          - [Meaningful Interactions at Home](https://teachstone.com/meaningful-interactions-at-home/)
    - Coach Trainings & Certification
      
          - [CLASS Group Coaching](https://teachstone.com/class-group-coaching/)
          - [1-1 Video Coaching](https://teachstone.com/1-1-video-coaching/)
          - [Instructional Support for Coaches](https://teachstone.com/coach-feedback/)
          - [Interaction Essentials Trainer Program](https://teachstone.com/interaction-essentials-trainer-program/)
    - [Professional Development for Educators](https://teachstone.com/professional-development-for-educators/)
      
          - [Banking Time: Investing in Relationships](https://teachstone.com/banking-time/)
          - [CDA with CLASS](https://teachstone.com/cda-programs/)
          - [Instructional Support Essentials for Teachers](https://teachstone.com/instructional-support-essentials-for-teachers/)
          - [Interaction Essentials for Educators](https://teachstone.com/interaction-essentials-for-educators/)
    - [CLASS Supplies](https://teachstone.com/class-supplies/)
      
          - [CLASS Dictionary](https://store.teachstone.com/class-dictionary/)
          - [CLASS Interactions Dimension Guide](https://store.teachstone.com/class-dimensions-guide/)
          - [CLASS Manuals](https://store.teachstone.com/class-2nd-edition-pre-k-3-manual-options/)
          - [CLASS Observation Score Sheets](https://store.teachstone.com/score-sheets/)
          - [CLASS Strategy Cards](https://store.teachstone.com/class-strategy-cards/)
          - [CLASS Support Kits](https://teachstone.com/class-support-kits/)
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    - [Resource Library](https://teachstone.com/resources/)
    - [Blog](https://info.teachstone.com/blog)
      
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          - [Blog (French)](https://casiope.org/categorie/class/)
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# How to Create a CLASS Observation Plan

 December 23 2015 by [Nikki Croasdale](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/author/nikki-croasdale)

- [FAQs](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/topic/faqs)
- [Leadership & Policy](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/topic/leadership-policy)
- [Observation Trainings](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/topic/observation-trainings)
- [Implementation](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/topic/implementation)

![](https://info.teachstone.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CLASS-goals.jpg?width=519&height=300&name=CLASS-goals.jpg)

The first thing to consider as you develop a CLASS® observation plan for your organization is the purpose or goal of your observations. Are you more interested in teacher-level or program-level data? Will you be using the data you collect to inform professional development? What kinds of decisions will your data help you make? Knowing why you’re conducting CLASS observations and what you hope to accomplish will help you decide on plan specifics.

## Who?

Consider who will be conducting the observations. Do you have certified CLASS observers on staff? Do you have staff members you’d like to get trained? If you don’t have the capacity internally to conduct the observations, perhaps you’d want to check out Teachstone’s [Observer Directory](https://info.teachstone.com/class-observer-directory-for-organizations?hsLang=en-us) to find available certified CLASS observers in your area. Either way, don’t forget to have your observers [calibrate](https://info.teachstone.com/blog/class-calibration-make-it-a-habit?hsLang=en-us) before they go out!

## What?

Give some thought to which classrooms you will observe. Will you be observing all the classrooms in a particular program or a subset of them? Remember that each classroom needs to be observed if you want to provide feedback to individual teachers.

## When?

You’ll also want to determine what time of year and time of day you’d like the classroom assessments to take place.

Teachstone recommends that you conduct observations annually, around the same time each year. Since the idea is to conduct a CLASS observation on a typical day in the classroom, you will likely want to avoid certain times, such as the very beginning and very end of the school year, and holidays.

In general, observations should take place at the start of the school day. Think about what makes sense based on the schedules of the programs you plan to observe, though.

## How?

Be sure to provide a clear protocol for observers that includes information about how you’d like them to conduct the observations. 

- Amount and length of cycles (typically four 15-20 minute cycles, but fewer cycles may be collected in certain cases)
- Focus of observation (whole classroom, particular teacher only, etc.)
- When to begin (when majority of children are present, for example)
- What not to code (outside time for certain age groups, specials, etc.)

If you get stuck and need help, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Teachstone!  

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