The LEARNS Act calls for a "simple, clear, and understandable uniform accountability system for early childhood programs which includes a rating indicative of child outcomes." In response to this legislation, Arkansas early childhood programs piloted the CLASS® observation tool and have now transitioned to full implementation.
Previously, Arkansas programs used multiple assessment tools to evaluate program quality. Today, publicly funded early childhood programs use a single, research-based tool to measure quality through the lens of teacher-child interactions.
Developed by Teachstone, the CLASS® (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) observation tool focuses on measuring and continuously improving the aspects of teaching that research has shown have the greatest impact on children's outcomes—the quality of interactions between teachers and children. Studies demonstrate that small, intentional moments throughout a child's day can have a profound influence on learning and development.
Research from Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child shows that approximately 90 percent of a child's brain develops before the age of five. Early childhood programs serve children during this critical period, when the brain is forming the neural connections that provide the foundation for lifelong learning. Harvard's research also emphasizes the importance of responsive "serve and return" interactions between children and their caregivers. These meaningful back-and-forth exchanges strengthen brain architecture and support healthy cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Like other state-funded early childhood programs across Arkansas, our local programs have embraced the CLASS® observation tool not only to measure the quality of interactions in our classrooms, but also to intentionally respond to what the data tells us. With intentionality we are guiding professional learning and continuous improvement efforts so that every child benefits from high-quality, responsive interactions. In many ways, the CLASS® tool affirms what we have long known to be true: meaningful relationships and intentional interactions are at the heart of effective early childhood education.
Thank you to local programs of Calhoun, Columbia, Ouachita, and Union counties for your willingness to participate in the Arkansas CLASS Pilot as part of our state-wide implementation!
If you would like to learn more about our local birth to five programs and why teacher-child interactions matter the most, I would love to visit with you.
Zephonia Avant, South Central Local Lead