Program Assessments

On this page...

The Early Childhood Framework for Quality (EFQ) describes key practices and structures that are essential in high-quality early childhood programs to prepare children for success, many of which are related to early learning environments at a program and the interactions between teaching staff and children. The NYCDOE uses the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and the Early Childhood Environmental Ratings Scale – Revised (ECERS-3) tools to understand the extent to which 3-K for All and Pre-K for All programs are successful at reaching those high-quality standards that support student development and learning across all five domains of the New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core (PKFCC). Both tools are grounded in research about the essential supports for promoting children’s achievement.

Program Assessment Results by Year

The ECERS-R tool was used by the DECE through the 2019 - 2020 school year. All results through that year are based on the ECERS-R. Any future results posted for years after the 2019-2020 school year will be based on ECERS-3.

The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)

The CLASS is an observation tool that assesses the quality of teacher-child interactions in preschool classrooms. CLASS includes three domains or categories of teacher-child interactions that support children's learning and development: Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support. Within each domain are dimensions that capture more specific details about teachers' interactions with children.

Additional resources and information about the CLASS tool are available from the purveyor of the tool, Teachstone, Inc.

CLASS Resources from the NYCDOE

In-Person CLASS trainings offered by the NYCDOE:

DECE Program Assessment Team organizes free full-day CLASS trainings that provide an overview of the CLASS tool. These trainings are not part of the Inspire, Thrive, Explore, or the Create professional learning tracks and are optional workshops that take place outside of the PL tracks.

In light of state regulations for social distancing and in an abundance of caution, all in-person trainings are cancelled or postponed.

The health and safety of all of our children and staff continues to be our first priority in the wake of the evolving situation around the novel coronavirus, and the Division of Early Childhood Education appreciates your flexibility and patience.

Online CLASS Professional Learning offered by the DOE

All professional learning opportunities will be available virtually and often through ProTraxx.

If you need further assistance to register for a ProTraxx account, please review the Professional Learning page for more instructions and FAQs. View this Division of Early Childhood Education Online Professional Learning Opportunities flyer to learn more broadly about the professional learning opportunities, including the opportunity below.

Overview of CLASS - This self-directed online professional learning opportunity will provide an overview of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System tool. Participants will have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the 10 dimensions of the tool.

CLASS+ Webinars

These webinars are available for your review at any time and are not associated with CTLE credit hours in this format. If you are interested in obtaining CTLE credit, please enroll in the Overview of the CLASS Tool online PL opportunity as described in the above section.

CLASS Webinars

This recorded webinar series provides an overview of the way that the NYCDOE uses the CLASS tool and all components of the tool. These webinars are available for your review at any time and are not associated with CTLE credit hours in this format. If you are interested in obtaining CTLE credit, please enroll in the Overview of the CLASS Tool online PL opportunity as described in the above section.

The Early Childhood Environmental Rating System - 3 (ECERS-3)

The ECERS-3 is an observation tool that assesses the quality of the overall learning environment. ECERS-3 includes 6 subscales: Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Language-Reasoning, Activities, Interaction, and Program Structure. Within each subscale are rubrics that look at specific aspects of the learning environment.

Additional resources and information about the ECERS-3 tool are available from the purveyor of the tool, the Environment Rating Scales Institute.

ECERS-3 Resources from the NYCDOE

In-Person ECERS-R trainings offered by the DOE

DECE Program Assessment Team organizes free full-day ECERS-3 trainings that provide an overview of the ECERS-3 tool. These trainings are not part of the Inspire, Thrive, Explore, or the Create professional learning tracks and are optional workshops that take place outside of the PL tracks.

In light of state regulations for social distancing and in an abundance of caution, all in-person trainings are cancelled or postponed.

The health and safety of all of our children and staff continues to be our first priority in the wake of the evolving situation around the novel coronavirus, and the Division of Early Childhood Education appreciates your flexibility and patience.

Online ECERS-3 Professional Learning Offered by the DOE

All professional learning opportunities will be available virtually and often through ProTraxx. If you do not have a ProTraxx account, you can register by visiting our Professional Learning page for instructions and FAQs. View this flyer to learn more about additional online professional learning opportunities from the DOE, outside of Program Assessment. The two professional learning courses below are an introduction to ECERS-3 and an explanation of how it differs from the ECERS-R.
  • Bridge to ECERS-3 - This self-directed online professional learning course will explain the main differences between the updated ECERS-3 tool and the ECERS-R tool. You will be eligible for CTLE credit upon successful completion of this course. To enroll in the Bridge to ECERS-3 online course, please login to your Protraxx account.
  • Overview of ECERS-3 - This self-directed online professional learning opportunity will provide an overview of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, third edition (ECERS-3). The ECERS-3 tool measures environmental aspects of the early childhood program, program structure, health and safety practices and teacher-child interactions that affect the broad developmental needs of young children. Participants will have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the 7 subscales of the tool as they apply to different parts of the day.

ECERS-3 Webinars

This recorded webinar series provides an overview of the way that the NYCDOE uses the ECERS-3 tool and all components of the tool. These webinars are available for your review at any time and are not associated with CTLE credit hours in this format. If you are interested in obtaining CTLE credit, please enroll in the Overview of the ECERS-3 Tool and/or the Bridge to ECERS-3 online PL opportunity as described in the above section.

The Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS-3)

The FCCERS-3 is an observation tool that assesses the quality of the overall learning environment. FCCERS-3 includes 6 subscales: Space and Furnishings, Personal Care Routines, Language and Books, Activities, Interaction, and Program Structure. Within each subscale are rubrics that look at specific aspects of the learning environment. 

Additional resources and information about the FCCEERS-3 tool are available from the purveyor of the tool, the Environment Rating Scales Institute.

FCCERS-3 Resources from the NYCDOE

Online FCCERS-3 Professional Learning Offered by DOE

Introduction to the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale – Third Edition: This 7-part self-paced training will provide an overview of why the DECE uses FCCERS-3 to promote best practices and gives a general overview of the FCCER-3 tool. The modules review key indicators within the six subscales that comprise the FCCERS-3 and reflect on why these indicators are important for children's development. In addition, this training provides suggestions for supporting affiliated providers in understanding and implementing these best practices for young children enrolled in their homes.

This training is open to all DECE contracted Network leaders and their staff who work directly with affiliated providers.

How to Register 

  • Visit idpcloud.nycenet.edu
  • Enter your DOE credentials (this is your @doeexternal.nyc credentials*)
  • Click on the ProTraxx icon to open the ProTraxx learning management system
  • Click on the Enrollment tab, then Search Courses
  • In the Keyword field, enter COURSE NAME, in this case "Introduction to the Family Child Care Environmental Rating Scale - Third Edition" and click the Search/Filter button (please make sure that your search matches the title of the online course exactly)
  • Select View Details button next to the course name
  • At the top of the course page, click Enroll
    • For Synchronous PL: On the date and time of the live session, log back into ProTraxx, click on the Enrollment tab, then My Online Meetings. Click on Join Meeting for your upcoming Zoom session. We encourage you to join this session 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to ensure an on-time start.
    • For Asynchronous PL: Click Launch Course. You can re-launch the course at any time through your Enrollment Management tab to review or continue your progress in the modules.

A note for NYCEEC educators: To access DOE-supported tech applications such as ProTraxx, Zoom, Google Classroom and more, you will need a DOE account (a doeexternal.nyc account). If you work in a NYCEEC and you do not have a doeexternal.nyc account, you can request one by completing the DOE Account Request Form: bit.ly/DOEexternalAccountRequest. If you need to reset the password for your existing DOE external account, please use the Password Reset Tool to create a new password (using Personal Details). 

For additional information, please visit the Professional Learning page.