Contracted Certified CLASS Observer (infant and toddler certified preferred)

Agenda for Children (Agenda) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the well-being of children, from birth through eighteen years of age in Louisiana through three key strategies:

1. advocating for better policies and programs to serve Louisiana's children throughout the legislative and regulatory processes;
2. informing public discussions on children by monitoring the well-being of children at the state and parish levels through the KIDS COUNT project; and,
3. improving the quality of early childhood education through “on the ground” work in the early care and education sector in Southeast Louisiana, specifically by training practitioners, helping program administrators strengthen their organizational capacity, increasing access for families, and building public and private support for the work.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Agenda for Children seeks certified reliable CLASS observers to conduct Toddler and Pre-K CLASS observations in early learning programs throughout Orleans Parish. This is a part-time, part-year (September-November and February - May ) position. CLASS observations are conducted in the morning, and typically take two to three hours to complete, allowing for one observation to be completed per day.

• CLASS is an assessment tool developed by Teachstone to measure the quality of teacher-child interactions. The CLASS assessments conducted by Agenda observers are used by the Louisiana Department of Education to rate the quality publicly funded early learning programs.
• In order to conduct CLASS observations, interested parties must become a certified reliable CLASS observer by completing a two-day training on the tool (either Toddler CLASS or Pre-K CLASS), then passing an online certification test. Applicants who are not already certified can attend a training at their own cost and, upon passing the reliability test and agreement to perform observations, will be reimbursed for their training cost.
• While experience in early childhood and/or conducting assessments can be helpful, it is not required for this position. The ideal candidate will possess strong attention to detail and be able to assess multiple dimensions simultaneously. CLASS observer requirements include:

Ensure Reliability:

• The Certified CLASS Observer must attain initial CLASS Observer certification through CLASS Observation Training and then re-certify annually through Teachstone. Agenda for Children (Agenda) will reimburse observers for the cost of the CLASS Observation Training upon successful completion of 10 CLASS Observations. Re-certification is also subsidized through Agenda for Children annually on the Certified CLASS Observer's renewal date.
• Certified CLASS Observers have to calibrate through Teachstone prior to the start of each observation season to ensure that the observer is still in alignment with the tool.

Conduct Individual CLASS Observations:

• Possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Ability to obtain a Louisiana Criminal Background Check
• All Contracted CLASS Observers must be available to complete at least 10 CLASS Observations each month.
• Observations will be conducted on-site at schools and centers throughout New Orleans following state protocol that consists of:
• Conducting all observations in the morning between 8am and before 12pm
• Using CLASS Observation Sheets to complete 4 cycles of observation (i.e. 20 minutes of observation followed by 10 minutes of scoring per observation cycle)

Report CLASS Observation Results and Feedback:

• After conducting each observation, the observer will complete a score sheet, leave the site and complete a feedback form. Observers will submit their scores sheets and feedback form to the CLASS Coordinator on a weekly basis.
• Observers will be paid based on the number of observations completed and delivered with supporting documentation to Agenda for Children.

Other Duties as Required:

• Attend all required CLASS Observer trainings including the refresher (a brief training) and any observer meetings.

Agenda and the Contracted Observer agree to the following:

1. An independent contractor agreement between Agenda for Children and the Contracted Observer is required.
2. Contracted Observer must possess necessary professional skills and experiences to complete the scope of services.
3. The Certified CLASS Observer must attain an initial CLASS Observer certification through CLASS Observation Training and recertify annually through Teachstone. The Contracted Observer will be reimbursed after successful completion of the initial CLASS Observer certification after completing 10 observations. The Contracted Observer will also be reimbursed for their recertification.
4. There will be two types of observations – virtual and in-person.
   1. Virtual
      1. Compensation for virtual observations is $140. The Contracted Observer will be required to use Zoom to observe and code the observations that are submitted virtually.
      2. The Contracted Observer will then upload their observation scores in the Early Childhood (EC) Portal.
   2. In-Person
      1. Compensation for in-person observations is based on the type of observation assigned. A ‘single observation' is reimbursed at $160 per observation. When conducting a ‘double-code' observation, the assigned anchor will be reimbursed at $175.
      2. The Contracted Observer is required to arrive before 8:30AM for scheduled in-person observations.
5. During the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Agenda will provide contracted observers with “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE), including disposable gloves, hand sanitizer, reusable face masks, and alcohol wipes, for all in-person observations. Agenda is not liable for injury, illness, disability, or death that may occur in the course of conducting in-person observations. All contracted observers are expected to adhere to CLASS Observation Protocol, which, during the course of the COVID-19 Pandemic, includes abiding by all Center for Disease Control (CDC) safety and cleanliness regulations, Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and Department of Licensing protocol and regulations, and each individual early learning site's stated COVID-19 protocol and standards. Contractors must wear a mask that fully covers their nose and mouth at all times when conducting on-site observations.
   

Agenda for Children is an Equal Opportunity employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or disability.

Recommended Skills

• Assessments
• Attention To Detail
• Diseases And Disorders
• Early Childhood Education
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Reliability