PALS summary

Linking Assessment and Instruction via Web-based Technology: A Case Study of a Statewide Early Literacy Initiative

Summary

This article describes the technology used to support a statewide early literacy initiative in Virginia. It talks about how teachers use top of the line technology to use the World Wide Web to record information from early literacy assessments to make a plan or agenda to teach further instruction using PALS( Phonological Assessment Literacy Screening). PALS is a tool that identifies kindergarten through third grade students in need of additional instruction. It allows teachers to follow students throughout the years and it tracks students progress in phonological awareness, alphabet recognition, letter sounds, invented spelling and concept of word development. This program is a fantastic tool that is going to become a mandatory necessity to teachers worldwide.  The program is as simple as it can get to be an effective teacher by literally listing where a given student needs help and what to teach next. It allows you to be able to section the class into readiness level,preprimer,primer and then onto first through third. To be able to categorize students like this is beneficial to both parties. You as a teacher get to be able to be effective in your job while not being too strenuous and time consuming, while the student gets to be able to get the proper information to be able to move onto the next level. If only this type of technology was around 20 years ago, teaching today would have a whole different aspect to it. Although I’m a secondary school teacher candidate, I would’ve used it if I was teaching younger students.