Peer

Assisted
Learning

Mission
Statement
Ellen Duchaine

This program is aimed at the

child who, without this
intervention, would be left
feeling ALONE.

San Marcos, TX 78666

Peer Assisted Learning

It has been shown that one

friend, one contact person, in
this childs life can make all the
difference in their future
mental health.

A mentoring program where you let

students help other students in the
classroom.

How
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Find the students with disabilities that this

could help
Find your mentors
Match them with a student, keeping in mind
that the mentor needs to be able to help
them
Have the mentors go through training
Then let them pair up. Be available to
answer questions from the mentor.

Who

English Language Learners

Learning Disabilities

ADHD students

Has helped some students with Emotional

Disorders

Teaching is one of the best ways to

develop mastery. Jeff Atwood

What
Peer Assisted Learning is the practice of pairing a
student with a disability with a mentor that can help
them succeed.
The thought is that the mentor will be able to give
the student attention that they need and may not
always receive.

The Research Supports

Research in the field of affective neuroscience or
how emotions are regulated in the brain, shows that
brain activity improves in children who have been
exposed to Social and Emotional Learning.
Research of Emotional Intelligence says that
continual stress cripples the ability to learn.
Studies done on Multiple Intelligences and Social and
Emotional Learning say that test scores in content
areas go up when children receive mentoring.

Findings

Improved math, literacy, and social studies

skills

Higher achievement test scores and grades

and no decreases in standardized test
scores

Improved learning-to-learn skills

Better problem solving and planning ability

Use of higher level reasoning strategies

Contact Us
Peer Assisted Learning
110 Magnolia Circle
Suite 418
Nashville, TN 37203
615-343-4782
PALS@vanderbilt.edu
Visit us on the Web:
http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/pals/index.ht