Frequently Asked Questions:
- I am unfamiliar with PAL®. What are the benefits of PAL® to my students and community?
- My school is interested in implementing PAL®? How do we do this?
- We just implemented PAL® at my school. What is next?
- Why do I need to get trained in PAL® to teach it?
- How long are Adult Trainings and what are the fees associated with them?
- How do I register for a Training?
- What are the benefits of student trainings and what are the costs associated with them?
- What materials do I need to implement PAL®?
- What is the difference between a Conference and a Training?
- How do I register for a Conference?
I am unfamiliar with PAL®. What are the benefits of PAL® to my students and community?
The PAL® Peer Assistance and Leadership curriculum recognizes the potential of youth as a resource and catalyst for change in other troubled youth. They provide a critical first line of defense in building resiliency among peers. The PAL® peer helping program philosophy identifies an innate capacity for social understanding, personal well-being, and community participation within every person. When participating in positive, productive pursuits with peers, youth can more easily resist negative influences, such as illegal use of addictive substances, excessive school absences and unlawful activities. The goals of PAL® Peer Assistance and Leadership are to build peer helping programs throughout Texas by providing training, networking opportunities, and technical assistance to create exemplary PAL® programs; most importantly PAL® replicates a proven model of peer helping.
The PAL® Program is:
- an opportunity for positive role models to develop closeness and trusting personal relationships with other students (often younger)
- a caring, sharing, and listening experience for both giver and receiver
- a helping hand of regular school counseling services
- something which can address academic as well as other concerns
- a way for students to develop a greater sense of ownership and responsibility in their school community
- a tool for preparing students for what lies ahead in school, particularly in the transition between grade levels or buildings
- an alternative way of reaching students and utilizing student resources
- a program in which the students themselves play an important role
- an opportunity to improve self image and develop more responsible decision-making among participants
- a path to help students recognize and solve their own problems
- a chance to have a positive impact on the overall school climate
My school is interested in implementing PAL®? How do we do this?
In order to implement a PAL® program in your school or district, the person who will be teaching the class or club needs to attend the mandatory, two-day PAL® Adult Training. To see dates for upcoming Adult Trainings, please go to the Upcoming Events tab and follow the registration instructions. The Initial Adult Training will cover all details needed to implement the program. Additionally, every three years all PAL® Teachers will need to renew their adult training so as to ensure fidelity.
Why do I need to get trained in PAL® to teach it?
The Texas Education Agency will not give elective credit to uncertified PAL® Programs. Furthermore, under the copyright restrictions of the PAL® curricula, teachers can neither purchase the PAL® curriculum, nor teach it without the mandatory training. The Initial Adult Training, along with the renewal Adult Training every three years, gives teachers all they need to run a healthy, successful program and maintain fidelity.
How long are Adult Trainings and what are the fees associated with them?
In-Person Adult Trainings are two-days, and virtual Adult Trainings are one day.
How do I register for a Training?
To register for a training, go to our Training page and download the form. Then follow the instructions on the form. This will secure your spot in an Adult Training.
To schedule a Student Training, please call 1-800-522-0550 and ask for Tory Gant, PAL® Training Director.
What are the benefits of Student Trainings and what are the costs associated with them?
Student Trainings are important in order to build team cohesion with student groups, help launch into the first six-weeks of training, and act as a support system to the PAL® teacher’s lesson plans. These trainings are experiential in nature with many hands-on activities and help to motivate, inspire, and fire students up about being a PAL®.
What materials do I need to implement PAL®?
There are manuals and handbooks for the PAL® Curriculum.
What is the difference between a Conference and a Training?
Trainings are PAL®-specific and include either Student, Adult, or Renewal trainings.
Adult Trainings are attended by new PAL® teachers as well as existing PAL® Teachers needing to renew their Teacher Training. Individuals can choose from a two day in-person training held in Austin, Texas or a one day virtual training.
Student trainings are scheduled by a school official (teacher, counselor, administrator, etc.) and involve having our PAL® Staff come to your location.
Conferences are for current PAL® teachers and PAL® students. The conferences cover a variety of topics to enhance, supplement, and support PAL® programs. Conferences also give PAL® students the opportunity to network with other PAL® students from all over the country. There is a middle school and a high school conference annually, as well as opportunity for regional conferences.
How do I register for a Conference?
Registration for conferences is conducted online. Registration links will go up a few months prior to the event.
