Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS)

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Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS)

• Laura Jennings
• Jackie Martin
• Conny Melvin
• Colleen Mullane
• Andrea Purvis

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PALS

• Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
• Increase reading and math skills
• Approved by the U.S. Dept of Education Program
  Effectiveness Panel
• Three main components
• Partner Reading
• Paragraph Shrinking
• Prediction Relay

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Implementing PALS in the Classroom

• Curriculum-Based Measurement compliments PALS
• PALS implemented
• K-8th grade
• 3-4 times a week
• http//kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/teachmat/2-6VPMPR.ht
  ml
• High school
• 5 times every two weeks
• http//kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/teachmat/HSPS.html

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Implementing PALS (continued)

• Students are paired up
• Higher achieving with lower achieving
• Rotate every 4 weeks
• Opportunity to be player (reader)
• Coach
• Listens
• Provides feedback
• Allows teacher to circulate
• Intended to supplement current curricula

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COST

• No special reading material needs to be purchased
• Title 1 funds will cover the cost
• Videos
• 15.00
• Manuals
• 35.00
• Manuals for Grades
• K-PALS (Kindergarten)
• Beginning
• 2-6
• High School
• Large print lessons for Kindergarten

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Links for PALS

• http//www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp?prog
  ramid143 (review of 14 studies on PALS)
• http//kc.vanderbilt.edu/kennedy/pals/outreach.htm
  lworkshops (information on upcoming workshops)
• http//www.whatworks.ed.gov/InterventionReportLink
  s.asp?iid7tid10 (intervention reports on PALS)
• http//kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/teachmat/ReadingVide
  os.html Video of PALS reading in action.

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Resources

• Fitzgerald, J., Ramsbotham, A. (2004).
  First-graders cognitive and
• strategic development in reading recovery
  reading and writing.
• Reading Research and Instruction 44 (1),
  1-31.
• Fuchs, D. Fuchs, L.S., Burish, P. (2000).
  Peer-assisted learning strategies
• An evidence-based practice to promote
  reading achievement. Learning
• Disabilities Research and Practice, 15 (2),
  85-91.
• Fuchs, D., Fuchs, L.S. (2005). Peer-assisted
  learning strategies
• Promoting word recognition, fluency, and
  reading comprehension in
• young children. The Journal of Special
  Education 39 (1), 34-44.
• Promising Practices Network. (2005). Programs
  That Work Peer Assisted
• Learning Strategies. Retrieved August 26,
  2007 from
• http//www.promisingpractices.net/program.asp
  ?programid143.