What Is CLASS? An Instructional Approach to Support Language Learners and All Students
By TXCEE
CLASS is an instructional approach designed to support teachers in strengthening classroom practice over time. At its core, CLASS brings together collaborative professional learning, flexible instructional guidance, and ongoing implementation supports to equip teachers with strategies that benefit language learners and all students.
Rather than relying on one‑time training or prescribed programs, CLASS emphasizes structured and sustained professional learning grounded in day‑to‑day instruction.
The CLASS Approach
CLASS is comprised of three connected elements that work together to support instructional improvement.
that work together to support instructional improvement.
Collaborative Learning Communities (CLCs)
CLCs are at the center of the CLASS approach. In a CLC, teachers come together to focus on instruction, student learning, and continuous improvement.
CLCs provide regular, structured opportunities for educators to:
- Reflect on classroom practice and student learning
- Collaborate around a shared instructional strategy or practice
- Plan next steps for implementation and identify evidence to bring back
These communities create space for teachers to learn from one another and connect professional learning directly to classroom instruction.
The CLASS Roadmap
The CLASS Roadmap provides a shared instructional focus through a menu of research‑based practices and strategies. Schools and CLCs select which strategies to focus on based on their instructional priorities and student needs.
Roadmap practices:
- Are grounded in research
- Are designed to support language learners while strengthening instruction for all students
- Encourage refinement over time using evidence from student work
This flexibility allows teachers to maintain focus while adapting instruction to their local context.
Implementation Supports
CLASS includes ongoing implementation supports that help teachers successfully apply selected strategies. All teachers participate in CLCs, while novice teachers receive additional coaching and mentoring.
These supports promote consistent implementation while honoring variation in experience, role, and setting.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, we will take a closer look at specific elements of CLASS and its evaluation, beginning with a deeper exploration of the CLASS Roadmap and how teachers use it in practice.
CLASS is developed and implemented by TxCEE and independently evaluated by AIR.
