Measuring the Quality of Teacher-Child Interactions at Scale: The Implications of Using Local Practitioners to Conduct Classroom Observations November 2016 By Daniel W. PlayerDaphna BassokBridget K. HamreVirginia E. VitielloAmanda P. Williford Measuring the Quality of Teacher-Child Interactions at Scale: The Implications of Using Local Practitioners to Conduct Classroom Observations Use of observational measures to monitor preschool quality is growing rapidly. This paper examined the degree of agreement between local and research rater teams using an observational measure of preschool classroom quality, and the extent to which ratings predicted gains in children’s literacy, math, and self-regulation skills. Both rating teams observed 85 classrooms using the Pre-K CLASS and 820 children (average age = 52.6 months, SD = 3.6 months) were directly assessed in the fall and spring. Results indicated moderate correlations between local and research teams’ scores, ranging from r = .19 to .40. Both teams’ scores significantly predicted child gains, although patterns of association differed. Results are discussed in the context of policies that require observational measures at scale. 52_Observing_Classroom_Interactions_At_Scale.pdf Areas of focus Education Daniel W. Player Dan Player’s research is focused on issues in education policy. His work has examined questions such as how teacher ability is recognized and rewarded in schools, whether teacher performance predicts turnover, and how teachers respond to working conditions. Read full bio Daphna Bassok Daphna Bassok is the Batten Bicentennial Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Virginia and associate director of EdPolicyWorks, a collaboration between the School of Education and Human Development and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Her research focuses on early childhood education policy and efforts to improve early childhood education at scale, particularly policies aimed at supporting the early childhood education workforce. Read full bio Bridget K. Hamre University of Virginia Virginia E. Vitiello University of Virginia Amanda P. Williford University of Virginia Related Content Daniel W. Player Are Parents’ Ratings and Satisfaction with Preschools related to Program Features? Research This study examines whether parents’ overall satisfaction with their child’s early childhood education (ECE) program is correlated with a broad set of program characteristics, including (a) observational assessments of teacher-child interactions; (b) structural features of the program, such as teacher education and class size; (c) practical and convenience factors (e.g., hours, cost); and (d) a measure of average classroom learning gains. It then describes associations between parents’ evaluation of specific program characteristics and externally collected measures of those features. Identifying and Predicting Effective Leader Practices: Examining Principal Experience and Prior Roles Research The importance of leadership in schools is substantiated, and we know that effective leaders call upon certain practices to influence student achievement. What remains less clear is how the professional backgrounds of educators may influence effective leader practice. New Batten and School of Education Program Helps Virginia Schools Respond to the Pandemic News Students in the inaugural class of Ed Policy Associates are collaborating with Virginia policymakers on vital research, and gaining vital experience at the same time. Daphna Bassok Are Parents’ Ratings and Satisfaction with Preschools related to Program Features? Research This study examines whether parents’ overall satisfaction with their child’s early childhood education (ECE) program is correlated with a broad set of program characteristics, including (a) observational assessments of teacher-child interactions; (b) structural features of the program, such as teacher education and class size; (c) practical and convenience factors (e.g., hours, cost); and (d) a measure of average classroom learning gains. It then describes associations between parents’ evaluation of specific program characteristics and externally collected measures of those features. Within-and Between-Sector Quality Differences in Early Childhood Education and Care Research This study leverages nationally representative data (N ≈ 6,000) to examine the magnitude of quality differences between (a) formal and informal early childhood education and care providers; (b) Head Start, prekindergarten, and other center-based care; and (c) programs serving toddlers and those serving preschoolers. It then documents differences in children’s reading and math skills at age 5 between those who had enrolled in formal and informal settings. Coronavirus and Schools: Reflections on Education One Year into the Pandemic News One year ago, the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Batten's Daphna Bassok and fellow experts examine how the pandemic upended the education landscape in the past year, what it’s taught us about schooling, and where we go from here. New Batten and School of Education Program Helps Virginia Schools Respond to the Pandemic News Students in the inaugural class of Ed Policy Associates are collaborating with Virginia policymakers on vital research, and gaining vital experience at the same time.
Daniel W. Player Dan Player’s research is focused on issues in education policy. His work has examined questions such as how teacher ability is recognized and rewarded in schools, whether teacher performance predicts turnover, and how teachers respond to working conditions. Read full bio
Daphna Bassok Daphna Bassok is the Batten Bicentennial Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at the University of Virginia and associate director of EdPolicyWorks, a collaboration between the School of Education and Human Development and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Her research focuses on early childhood education policy and efforts to improve early childhood education at scale, particularly policies aimed at supporting the early childhood education workforce. Read full bio
Are Parents’ Ratings and Satisfaction with Preschools related to Program Features? Research This study examines whether parents’ overall satisfaction with their child’s early childhood education (ECE) program is correlated with a broad set of program characteristics, including (a) observational assessments of teacher-child interactions; (b) structural features of the program, such as teacher education and class size; (c) practical and convenience factors (e.g., hours, cost); and (d) a measure of average classroom learning gains. It then describes associations between parents’ evaluation of specific program characteristics and externally collected measures of those features.
Identifying and Predicting Effective Leader Practices: Examining Principal Experience and Prior Roles Research The importance of leadership in schools is substantiated, and we know that effective leaders call upon certain practices to influence student achievement. What remains less clear is how the professional backgrounds of educators may influence effective leader practice.
New Batten and School of Education Program Helps Virginia Schools Respond to the Pandemic News Students in the inaugural class of Ed Policy Associates are collaborating with Virginia policymakers on vital research, and gaining vital experience at the same time.
Are Parents’ Ratings and Satisfaction with Preschools related to Program Features? Research This study examines whether parents’ overall satisfaction with their child’s early childhood education (ECE) program is correlated with a broad set of program characteristics, including (a) observational assessments of teacher-child interactions; (b) structural features of the program, such as teacher education and class size; (c) practical and convenience factors (e.g., hours, cost); and (d) a measure of average classroom learning gains. It then describes associations between parents’ evaluation of specific program characteristics and externally collected measures of those features.
Within-and Between-Sector Quality Differences in Early Childhood Education and Care Research This study leverages nationally representative data (N ≈ 6,000) to examine the magnitude of quality differences between (a) formal and informal early childhood education and care providers; (b) Head Start, prekindergarten, and other center-based care; and (c) programs serving toddlers and those serving preschoolers. It then documents differences in children’s reading and math skills at age 5 between those who had enrolled in formal and informal settings.
Coronavirus and Schools: Reflections on Education One Year into the Pandemic News One year ago, the World Health Organization declared the spread of COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Batten's Daphna Bassok and fellow experts examine how the pandemic upended the education landscape in the past year, what it’s taught us about schooling, and where we go from here.
New Batten and School of Education Program Helps Virginia Schools Respond to the Pandemic News Students in the inaugural class of Ed Policy Associates are collaborating with Virginia policymakers on vital research, and gaining vital experience at the same time.