1. (a) Notwithstanding section 17700, when the CSPP contractor is also a Head Start grantee or delegate agency or has a signed collaboration agreement with a Head Start grantee or delegate agency, and is providing collaborative services using both Head Start and CSPP contract funds the following definitions shall apply:

   1. (1) “CLASS® Observation” means cycles conducted by a certified observer using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) Manual Pre-K (2008), hereby incorporated by reference, or the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) Observation Field Guide, Second Edition (2023) Pre-K-3rd, hereby incorporated by reference, which are observation tools developed by Teachstone, to measure the quality of educator-child interactions.

   2. (2) “Certified observer,” means someone who either:

      1. (A) Has completed the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®), CLASS 2008 Observer Pre-K training to become a CLASS® observer, passed the CLASS® certification test, and has an active CLASS® certification from Teachstone; or
      2. (B) Has completed the Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®), Second Edition Pre-K-3rd training to become a CLASS® observer, passed the CLASS® certification test for second edition pre-K or second edition pre-K-3rd.
2. (b) Certified observers shall only complete CLASS observations using the version of the tool for which they hold an active certification.
3. (c) When the CSPP contractor is also a Head Start grantee or delegate agency or has a signed collaborative agreement with a Head Start grantee or delegate agency, and is providing collaborative services using both Head Start and CSPP contract funds, an annual CLASS Environment Observation, conducted by a certified observer using the Pre-K-K Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS®) Environment Manual (2022), hereby incorporated by reference, is optional.

Note: Authority cited: Section 8231, Education Code. Reference: Sections 8203 and 8207, Education Code; and Section 106 of Senate Bill (SB) 114 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2023).

History

1. New section filed 1-30-2026; operative 4-1-2026 (Register 2026, No. 5).