<p>I'm wanting to change my movie clips to actionscript classes in AS3. Is there a standard list of things I need to do to make sure the classes work?</p>

Check out these resources:
Grant Skinners Introductory AS3 Workshop slidedeck
http://gskinner.com/talks/as3workshop/
Lee Brimelow : 6 Reasons to learn ActionScript 3
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/actionscript/articles/six_reasons_as3.html
Colin Moock : Essential ActionScript 3 (considered the "bible" for ActionScript developers):
http://www.amazon.com/Essential-ActionScript-3-0/dp/0596526946
mike chambers
mesh@adobe.com