CERTIFIED CLASS® OBSERVER (Orleans Parish)

Agenda for Children•New Orleans, LA

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Agenda for Children seeks to contract with reliable independent observers certified in the Teachstone CLASS ® tool to conduct classroom observations on-site in early learning programs throughout Orleans Parish. We are currently looking for observers who are certified in the Infant, Toddler, and/or Pre-K-3 CLASS ® tool(s) to conduct observations in Orleans Parish on a flexible seasonal contract basis. CLASS ® is an assessment tool developed by Teachstone to measure the quality of teacher-child interactions. The CLASS ® assessments conducted by Agenda for Children observers are used by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) to rate the quality of publicly-funded early learning programs. Independent contractors are compensated on a per observation basis, with additional payments for participation in required and optional meetings and mandatory professional development tasks related to their CLASS ® certifications and improving observation reliability via calibration exercises. Rates vary by observation type due to varying time requirements: Pre-K observations: $225 per observation (maximum of five observations per week). Infant and Toddler observations: $200 per observation (maximum of five observations per week). Compensation is also provided for: Four required meetings per semester Time spent engaging in calibration exercises Reimbursement for CLASS ® certification and re-certification costs, contingent on successful completion of eight observations Contractors are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses, and will receive a Form 1099 for tax reporting. This contract opportunity is seasonal with varying, flexible hours. Contractors must be available for at least eight observations per month and may perform up to five observations per week, Mondays through Fridays. Observations are conducted on-site in the morning and typically start between 8 - 9:30 a.m. They last two - three hours, though total time per observation varies based on each individual site’s schedule. Once concluded, the observer must complete documentation, data entry, and a brief follow-up report for each observation, which takes on average two - two and a half additional hours. Contractors are expected to manage their own availability and scheduling. Fall observations are conducted from roughly from mid-August to mid-December. Spring observations are conducted from the end of January to mid-May.

Requirements

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Ability to pass a Louisiana Child Care Criminal Background Check
Strong attention to detail and writing skills
Maintain a reliable standing in the Teachstone CLASS ® tool
CLASS ® Tool Reliability: Contractors must obtain and maintain certification as a reliable CLASS ® observer by completing a multiple-day training on reliable use of the tool (Infant, Toddler, and/or Pre-K-3), then passing an online certification test.
Observers must maintain certification throughout the tenure of their contract by recertifying as required by Teachstone and Agenda for Children.
Certified CLASS ® Observers must calibrate through Teachstone prior to the start of each observation season to ensure that the observer is still in alignment with the tool.
Calibrations are provided by Agenda for Children
Commitment
Responsibility
Reliability
Quality
Cross-cultural responsiveness
Attention to detail
Proactivity
Ability to problem-solve
Effective communication
Professionalism
Participates in training required by the funding source and/or required by Agenda for Children, the Louisiana Department of Education, or others as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in early childhood and/or conducting assessments

Responsibilities

Observation Completion (60%) Ensure timely arrival for scheduled observations
Communicate relevant classroom, teacher, and/or early learning center updates to the Agenda for Children Program Manager of Observations and Accountability
Complete all scheduled observations as assigned
Follow the CLASS ® observation protocol as written in order to ensure observations are completed with full fidelity to the tool and network protocol
Complete assigned, scheduled comparative observation quality checks known as “double coding” with another certified observer intermittently throughout the semester
Participate in debriefing activities as requested
Documentation, Reporting, & Administration (30%) Coordinate with Agenda for Children to confirm the assigned observation schedule
Complete a score sheet and submit the scores online using both the Early Childhood (EC) Portal and the NOEEN Hub/Scheduler by the close within five business days of the observation
Submit debrief forms using the appropriate system within five business days of the observation
Provide all paper score sheets monthly as requested by NOEEN
Provide and update availability for observations in accordance with the scheduling process
Submit accurate invoices according to schedule provided
Meetings & Professional Development (10%) Participate in up to four mandatory meetings per semester designed to ensure quality and collaborate on program updates
Participate in required calibration exercises twice annually, once per observation period
Complete professional development activities related to CLASS ® reliability and observation quality, as agreed upon in the contract