Robert Pianta

Class of 2025-26

Batten Bicentennial Professor of Early Childhood Education, Department of Human Services
Founding Director, Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning
School of Education and Human Development
University of Virginia

Robert Pianta is a pioneer in understanding the importance of positive relationships for quality education. His research focuses on the intersection of education and human development, particularly teacher-student relationships.

Pianta developed the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, or CLASS, a tool for analyzing teacher-student interactions used in classrooms serving children and adolescents from birth to high school. The CLASS and associated interventions have helped teachers interact with students more effectively in the United States and across the world.

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

He is a member of the National Academy of Education. He was selected as a fellow for the American Educational Research Association and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.

Honors include the Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education Award from the American Education Research Association, the Review of Research Award from the American Educational Research Association, the Article of the Year from the National Association of School Psychology, the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota, and the Best Article Award from the “Journal of School Psychology.” Pianta was named a Distinguished Alumnus from the University of Connecticut and received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Stavanger.

Pianta has authored 13 books, 72 chapters and 343 peer-reviewed articles, and holds one trademark. He is a former editor for the “Journal of School Psychology.”

Pianta will collaborate with faculty and students in the College of Education and Human Development.