PALS-UK: Improving Reading Outcomes

Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) is a whole class same-age structured paired reading programme which supports oral reading fluency, reading comprehension and motivation to read. Pupils within a class are paired together using pupil reading data that shows the pupils current reading level. Each pair of children selects the book they want to read, giving them autonomy over their reading material. Developed in the US by Profs Doug and Lynn Fuchs at Vanderbilt University, the programme now has international reach with the UK, Iceland, Taiwan and UAE being some of places implementing PALS (Vardy et al., 2022). PALS-UK is the UK version of PALS.

An Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) funded evaluation of PALS-UK led by Manchester Met University reported that Year 5 pupils who received PALS-UK made on average two months' additional progress in reading compared to pupils in schools not participating in the programme (business as usual control group). This is the largest evaluation of PALS  with 114 schools participating and over 4,800 Year 5 pupils taking part in the randomised controlled trial. Teachers reported PALS-UK was ‘high impact for minimal workload’, praising the structured nature of the programme, the resources and other positive benefits seen such as enhancing a reading for enjoyment culture as pupils were engaging in informal book talk with their friends.

From these positive outcomes, the Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS-UK) team are inviting state-maintained primary schools across England to take part in a large-scale evaluation of the programme in Year 5 classrooms funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) (PALS-UK - third trial | EEF). This study will further explore the impact of the programme through a randomised controlled trial, helping to strengthen national evidence on effective Key Stage 2 literacy practice. Schools taking part will contribute to research of national importance and receive valuable pupil reading data. To register your school’s interest, please complete this form: PALS-UK Expression of Interest Form – Fill in form. If you have a question, please do email the lead developer, Dr Emma Vardy, at pals-uk@ntu.ac.uk.

Newsletter

PALS-UK is a whole-class paired reading programme that has shown to improve children’s reading attainment, fluency, and comprehension (PALS-UK - second trial | EEF). The Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS-UK) team are inviting state-maintained primary schools across England to take part in an evaluation of the programme in Year 5 classrooms funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). This study will further explore the impact of the programme through a randomised controlled trial, helping to strengthen national evidence on effective Key Stage 2 literacy practice. Schools taking part will contribute to research of national importance and receive valuable pupil reading data. To register your school’s interest, please complete this form: PALS-UK Expression of Interest Form – Fill in form