Class Composer
The class creation process at the elementary school level is a very manual and time consuming task that results in the creation of inequitable classes. Elementary schools still use sticky notes or blue and pink paper cards to determine student placement into classes.
Class Composer improves this process. Teachers enter data on a virtual Student Card. Then our program runs an algorithm to instantly auto-sort students into balanced classes for next year. Students can then be moved into other classes to fine-tune student placement on the Compose view of the Digital Data Wall.
Where elementary students are placed and the composition of classes is the foundation of the overall classroom environment which has a direct impact on teaching and learning. When classes are equitable, kids have a much better chance of getting their needs met so they can grow academically and socially.
The problem we are solving is the unintentional creation of inequitable classes at the elementary school level.
The class list creation process at the elementary school level is antiquated. Most schools work on building class lists each spring in preparation for the next academic school year. Student information like gender, academic level, behavior ratings, identified labels (ELL, GT, etc.) and placement requests (keep with a teacher, keep with a friend, and separate from another student) are handwritten on a sticky note or a blue and pink paper card for each student. Then these cards are manually sorted in an attempt to create equitable (heterogeneous) classes in a grade level. As teachers move cards (students) into other classes to fine-tune placement the totals among the classes in the grade level need to be adjusted each time. There is simply too much data to account for manually which results in the creation of classes that are unbalanced.
Our cloud based software program makes it simple for teachers to create equitable classes in less time. The process begins with classroom teachers assessing their students on the Student Card. Once all the teachers in a grade level have finished assessing their students our program runs an algorithm to instantly auto-sort students into balanced classes for next year. Students, who are represented in a Student Cell, can then be clicked and dragged into other classes to fine-tune student placement on the Compose view of the Digital Data Wall. The data table on the Compose screen instantly updates the totals when a student is moved. Any inequity that arises can quickly be seen and resolved by moving a student into another class.
Our solution ultimately serves elementary aged children. Our tool empowers teachers and administrators to create positive learning environments where students can grow academically and socially.
The decision making process on where to place students into classes for the next school year is critical to get right. Elementary students are rarely switched from classes once the school year begins and receive the majority of their instruction from their homeroom classroom teacher. Any inequity will impact the teaching and learning in that classroom for the entire school year.
Inequities range from classes being created that have: too many challenging behavior students, too many struggling readers, a shy girl being separated from the one friend she relies on, two boys who should have been separated ending up in the same class again, or a student ending up in a class where the personality of the teacher isn’t a good fit.
When classes are equitable kids have a much better chance of getting their needs met so they can grow academically and socially. If teachers are overloaded with students in a certain criteria (struggling readers, challenging behavior students, etc.) it makes it hard for them to meet the needs of all the students in the classroom.
- Increase the engagement of learners in remote, hybrid, and physical environments, including strategies and tools for parental support, peer interaction, and guided independent work.
Every child is unique with specific needs and characteristics. Our program ensures what is unique about each student is honored during the placement process. This is how we empower teachers to create equitable classrooms.
- Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in one or, ideally, several communities, which is poised for further growth.
Class Composer launched in the spring of 2017. We currently have over 275 paying elementary schools all across the United States and four internationally.
CEO and Cofounder