Program quality
We train coaches, early childhood educators, and program leaders such as administrators and family child care providers in classroom assessment and measuring program quality. We also conduct classroom and coaching observations.
Our program quality staff can work directly with you to find out what courses will support your program's needs. We offer online and in-person options and can customize our offerings to your requirements.
Observations
We conduct observations in a variety of learning environments for multiple research, evaluation, and professional development projects. We currently use the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS®) and Environmental Rating Scale (ERS®). Our staff observe to the highest standards of reliability in the field, resulting in dependable data. We also consult with organizations with in-house observers. Our experts can co-observe to ensure high-quality data and provide guidance on best practices.
Example observation projects
- We provide CLASS observations for Parent Aware full rating pathway centers seeking a 3- or 4-star rating
- We provide CLASS observations for Head Start programs
Courses for Parent Aware Participants
Parent Aware is Minnesota’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood education programs. Parent Aware assigns quality ratings based on classroom observations. As a Parent Aware partner, we conduct classroom observations using the CLASS tool, we train CLASS observers, and we support CLASS coaches.
We offer courses for early childhood educators, coaches, and program leaders such as administrators and family child care providers. Learn about child development, classroom assessment, and measures of program quality. We can also help you learn skills to support educators and programs as a CLASS coach. Many of our courses are Develop-approved. If your organization has specific training needs, we can deliver customized courses and ensure Develop credit if needed.
- Questions about registration or need assistance? Email ceedregister@umn.edu. Responses may take up to two business days.
- To pay by check, email ceedregister@umn.edu.
- We are unable to process group registrations at this time. Please register each member of your group individually using a credit card.
- All online meetings are on Zoom.
- All online courses are on the Canvas platform.
- Develop is the online registry for early childhood professional development in Minnesota. After you complete a Develop-approved course, your attendance will be entered in Develop within three business days.
- We provide certificates for clock hours rather than continuing education units (CEUs) because our participants work in a variety of fields. Participants submit our certificates to the credentialing body relevant to their field, which determines the equivalent CEUs.
- To earn clock hours, you must attend the entire course.
- For multi-session courses, you must attend all sessions in full.
- We do not offer courses for academic credit.
- No cancellations or refunds are offered for on-demand courses.
- No transfers are allowed.
How do I register for a course?
Step 1: Click the “Register” button on the course page of your choice.
Step 2: Register for a University of Minnesota Guest Learner account.
- Go to the Registration for Professional & Personal Growth Opportunities website.
- In the upper-right-hand corner, click on the "Login" drop-down menu, and select "Learner Login."
- On the right-side of the page under "I'm new to the University," click on “Create Account.”
- Complete the “Create Guest Account” form and click on "Submit." NOTE: The email address you use to sign up for your Guest
- Account will be your username. Please remember to save the password you choose somewhere safe.
- Click on “Continue” at the bottom of the confirmation screen.
- Complete the checkout process.
NOTE: If you experience technical difficulties creating your account or have login issues, please contact UMN Learner Services and Support at 612-301-4357 or help@umn.edu, or use their submission form.
Step 3: An invitation to enroll in the Canvas course site will be sent to the email address you used to create your Guest Account. Open the email and accept the invitation to access the course.
Note: The email will originate from an email address ending in “@umn.edu”. If you do not receive the email, please contact ceedregister@umn.edu. Include the course name and start date in your email. Responses can take up to two business days.
How do I access the Canvas course I'm enrolled in?
Step 1: Visit the Canvas site and log in using the username (email address) and password you used when registering for a Guest Account.
Note: Your username is the email address you used to create your Guest Account. Log in using your username and the password you chose when you created your Guest Account.
Note: There may be a delay of 15-60 minutes before your new Guest Account is activated in Canvas. If you receive an “unrecognized guest ID” message when you try to log in, please wait and try again.
Step 2: A list of the courses you are registered for will appear. Click on the link to the Canvas course site to access a course.
Note: If you encounter any technical difficulties related to Canvas course sites, please email ceedregister@umn.edu. Include the course name and start date, and describe the problem you are having. Responses can take up to two business days.
CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training
Learn how to become a reliable observer from certified affiliate CLASS trainers. As a Parent Aware partner, we train people to use the Infant, Toddler, Pre-K, and K-3 versions of the CLASS (2nd edition, unless otherwise noted) to build capacity for…
COR Advantage COR Advantage
COR Advantage is an all-inclusive authentic assessment tool. It is a Parent Aware-recognized tool used with children from birth to kindergarten. It covers all areas of development: language, cognitive, motor, and social and emotional development.
Desired Results Developmental Profile (2015) Desired Results Developmental Profile (2015)
The Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP 2015) is an all-inclusive assessment tool that measures a child’s development across time. It is a Parent Aware-recognized tool used with children from birth to kindergarten.
Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool
Get an overview of the CLASS® framework and learn why teacher-child interactions are so important.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Building Relationships (ES) for Educators Putting Interactions into Practice: Building Relationships (ES) for Educators
The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) measures emotional support in four dimensions: positive climate, negative climate, teacher sensitivity, and regard for student perspective.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Classroom Management (CO) for Educators Putting Interactions into Practice: Classroom Management (CO) for Educators
This course places classroom organization in the overall context of the CLASS® tool. Participants analyze the dimensions of behavior management, productivity, and instructional learning formats.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Promoting Thinking (IS) for Educators Putting Interactions into Practice: Promoting Thinking (IS) for Educators
This course will prepare you to implement the classroom interaction strategies of concept development, quality of feedback, and language modeling.
CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training
Learn how to become a reliable observer from certified affiliate CLASS trainers. As a Parent Aware partner, we train people to use the Infant, Toddler, Pre-K, and K-3 versions of the CLASS (2nd edition, unless otherwise noted) to build capacity for…
Getting Ready to Recertify on Parent Aware’s Observation Tool: Coding Refresher Getting Ready to Recertify on Parent Aware’s Observation Tool: Coding Refresher
This refresher course is designed to support reliable CLASS observers as they prepare for their annual reliability recertification test.
Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool
Get an overview of the CLASS® framework and learn why teacher-child interactions are so important.
Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales and Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment Checklist Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales and Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment Checklist
The goals of this course are: To understand the connections between the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and the Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment (ESA) Checklist To learn how to score early childhood environments using the ERS and ESA
Motivational Interviewing Strategies for Coaches Motivational Interviewing Strategies for Coaches
Motivational interviewing is a technique used to guide early childhood professionals toward improvement and empower them to change.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Building Relationships (ES) for RBPD Specialists Putting Interactions into Practice: Building Relationships (ES) for RBPD Specialists
Prepare to support early childhood professionals in the four emotional support dimensions of the CLASS.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Classroom Management (CO) for RBPD Specialists Putting Interactions into Practice: Classroom Management (CO) for RBPD Specialists
Get an in-depth understanding of coaching considerations when providing feedback to teachers. Participants will explore several indicators, including clear behavior expectations, transitions, and clarity of learning objectives.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Foundation Course (PIIP) Putting Interactions into Practice: Foundation Course (PIIP)
Prepare to work with early childhood professionals on CLASS concepts and practices.
Putting Interactions into Practice: Promoting Thinking (IS) for RBPD Specialists Putting Interactions into Practice: Promoting Thinking (IS) for RBPD Specialists
Prepare to aid teachers in strengthening concept development, quality of feedback, and language modeling in interactions and activities.
Six Principles of Quality Coaching Six Principles of Quality Coaching
(on demand) This course provides an overview of the Six Principles of Quality Coaching developed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. These principles are used by observers to assess the quality of the coaching relationship in Parent Aware.
CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training CLASS 2nd Edition Observer Certification Training
Learn how to become a reliable observer from certified affiliate CLASS trainers. As a Parent Aware partner, we train people to use the Infant, Toddler, Pre-K, and K-3 versions of the CLASS (2nd edition, unless otherwise noted) to build capacity for…
COR Advantage COR Advantage
COR Advantage is an all-inclusive authentic assessment tool. It is a Parent Aware-recognized tool used with children from birth to kindergarten. It covers all areas of development: language, cognitive, motor, and social and emotional development.
Desired Results Developmental Profile (2015) Desired Results Developmental Profile (2015)
The Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP 2015) is an all-inclusive assessment tool that measures a child’s development across time. It is a Parent Aware-recognized tool used with children from birth to kindergarten.
Environment Rating Scales Environment Rating Scales
The Environment Rating Scales (ERS) are a set of tools that assess the quality of a child care setting.
Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool Getting to Know Parent Aware's Observation Tool
Get an overview of the CLASS® framework and learn why teacher-child interactions are so important.
Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales and Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment Checklist Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales and Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment Checklist
The goals of this course are: To understand the connections between the Environmental Rating Scales (ERS) and the Parent Aware Environmental Self-Assessment (ESA) Checklist To learn how to score early childhood environments using the ERS and ESA
Parent Aware Classroom Observation Tool: An Introduction for Directors and Administrators Parent Aware Classroom Observation Tool: An Introduction for Directors and Administrators
Explore the CLASS tool and its use in Parent Aware.
Supporting Quality Interactions in FCC: An Introduction Supporting Quality Interactions in FCC: An Introduction
This course gives an introductory overview of the CLASS and how it might look in multi-aged settings.
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Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Online learning communities
Our online learning communities (OLCs) provide coaches with ongoing support. Together with peers, participants review relevant content, practice skills, and share their experiences. For example, our Parent Aware CLASS Coach OLC serves certified CLASS observers, coaches, and educators who are providing coaching around interactions. Fill out our interest form for more information!
Read more about program quality
Recent staff accomplishments Recent staff accomplishments
Learn about some of our stand-out accomplishments over the past few months.
Why does it feel SO hard to be observed? Why does it feel SO hard to be observed?
During a classroom observation, a trained observer watches a teacher work and takes notes on their practices. Teachers are invested in the best outcomes for children in their classrooms.
Our program quality team travels all over Minnesota for classroom observations...and a little sightseeing Our program quality team travels all over Minnesota for classroom observations...and a little sightseeing
Our program quality team conducts classroom observations in preschool programs throughout Minnesota. En route, they enjoy stopping by roadside attractions that add a quirky flair to many of our state’s small towns.