Transform Your School Climate with PAL 2.0

A research-backed grant program that equips middle school educators build stronger classroom culture and deeper student engagement.

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Cohort 3 is the final federally funded cohort! This is your last chance to access this professional learning at little to no cost to your district. 

Click here to Learn More

What is PAL 2.0?

PAL Classrooms 2.0 is a professional learning initiative that equips middle school (grades 6-8) teachers with research-backed, proactive classroom management strategies. Developed by the eMINTS National Center at the University of Missouri, PAL 2.0 helps teachers build prosocial classrooms where students are engaged, self-regulated, and ready to learn – without adding burden to teachers’ already-full plates. 

PAL 2.0 transforms classroom management from reactive discipline to proactive, prosocial engagement. 

Pal 2.0 Logo

Professional Learning That Works With Your Teachers 

Most classroom management programs feel like “one more thing” on a teacher’s plate. PAL 2.0 is different. We provide teachers with highly effective, research-based classroom management practices that integrate seamlessly into everyday teaching.

PAL Students

The Prosocial Advantage: We are changing the approach to discipline by helping teachers create a classroom environment where every student feels comfortable, welcome, and valued.

PAL 2.0 provides research‑informed strategies that integrate into existing instruction, support student self‑regulation and collaboration, and help reduce time lost to reactive discipline.

Professional Learning Track Details

Pal Teacher Red

Implementing PAL Strategies

  • Self-paced online course
  • Book study
  • Virtual community of practice and online coaching

$1000 Stipend

Pal Teacher Leader Blue

Teacher Course +

  • Additional course in adult mentoring
  • Plan and support teachers in completing the teacher course

$1400 Stipend

Pal Admin Purple

Support & Sustainability

  • Mini-lessons on supporting teachers in implementing PAL Classroom Strategies
  • Develop a plan for sustainability
  • Virtual community of practice and online coaching

$400 Stipend

Project Eligibility

Palteachers

Is Your School Eligible for PAL Classrooms 2.0 Cohort 3 (2027–2028)?

  • Serve middle school students in grades 6–8 (or equivalent) in the United States
  • Have at least two teachers willing to participate
  • Are a public or charter school
  • Are willing to participate in program evaluations activities

Program Impact

Instructional Time

Teachers in 100+ middle school math classrooms across Texas shared that they had a gain of, on average, 30 minutes of instructional time per week. Teachers also reported they had:

  • Less time spent dealing with unwanted behavior.
  • More time on instruction.
  • Greater opportunities for high-quality learning experiences.
Self Efficacy

Self-Efficacy

Teachers in PAL Classrooms 1.0 showed a statistically significant increase in Teacher Self-Efficacy overall, ES = 0.52, across all three domains. Meaning teachers believed they could have a positive impact on:

  • Student Engagement 
  • Classroom Management
  • Instructional Strategies
Student Behavior

Student Behavior

Students in PAL Classrooms 1.0 showed a statistically significant increase in behavioral engagement, ES = 0.22. Meaning students:

  • Showed more focus on class tasks and assignments
  • Higher rates of participation in class discussions and learning activities
  • Greater investment in learning experiences

Testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it! Click play on this video to see and hear what PAL Classrooms looks like from the teachers who’ve been through it. 

  • “PAL Classrooms re-energize teachers. It helps teachers to feel happier and more content in their work. By focusing on positives, we can help reduce teacher stress and burnout!”

 -Christi Bergin

Ready to Learn More?

Frequently Asked Questions

PAL stands for Prosocial and Active Learning, an approach that emphasizes positive relationships, student engagement, and proactive classroom practices.

PAL 2.0 helps schools shift from reactive discipline to proactive, prosocial engagement, creating classrooms where students feel welcome, comfortable, and ready to learn. These practices improve classroom climate while supporting teachers in their everyday instruction.

PAL 2.0:

  • Integrates seamlessly into existing instruction
  • Does not rely on scripted lessons
  • Focuses on student self‑regulation, collaboration, and respectful behavior
  • Is designed to feel like support—not “one more thing” for teachers

Teachers gain practical strategies that integrate into everyday instruction, while students demonstrate improved focus, participation, and engagement. Research shows PAL classrooms support better classroom climate and stronger teacher confidence.

Research from PAL Classrooms 1.0 demonstrated:

  • A statistically significant increase in teacher self‑efficacy
  • Improved confidence in student engagement, classroom management, and instructional strategies

Increased student behavioral engagement, including focus, participation, and investment in learning

Schools are eligible if they:

  • Serve middle school students in grades 6–8 (or equivalent) in the United States and have at least two teachers willing to participate
  • Are Public or charter schools that receive federal funds
  • Are able to participate in required research activities 
  • No prior eMINTS experience is required.

Cohort 3 is the final federally funded cohort, allowing schools to access this professional learning at little to no cost to their district.

Teachers participate in:

  • A self‑paced online course
  • A book study

A virtual community of practice and online coaching

Teacher‑leaders participate in:

  • The full teacher course & book study
  • An additional course focused on adult mentoring
  • Planning and supporting teachers through the program

Administrators participate in:

  • Mini‑lessons focused on implementation support and sustainability
  • A virtual community of practice and coaching
  • Teachers receive a $1,000 stipend paid to the district.
  • Teacher‑leaders receive a $1,400 stipend paid to the district.
  • Administrators receive a $400 stipend paid to the district.

*Note: Stipends are paid to the district, which then pays the participants.

Professional learning takes place over one semester, with data collection across one school year.

Schools are randomly assigned to either:

  • Summer/Fall Track (beginning June 2027), or

Winter/Spring Track (beginning November 2027)
*Both tracks receive the identical professional learning and stipend opportunities.

The American Institutes of Research (AIR) serves as the external evaluation partner. Data collection includes:

  • Brief surveys (approximately 20 minutes)
  • Two classroom recordings per year
  • Select interviews for some participants
  • Secure, de‑identified data sharing coordinated directly with districts

Because this is a federally funded grant, program implementation fidelity data collection is required. Therefore we will ask participants to collect data video teacher surveys, low burden classroom observation. Participation in data collection is voluntary. Teachers will receive stipends for participating.

No. Expressing interest and attending an information call does not obligate your school to participate.

Still have questions? Schedule A 30-Minute Info Call

If this project caught your attention, a 30-minute call is the fastest way to determine whether PAL Classrooms 2.0 is the right fit for your school.

On the call, you’ll speak directly with our project team. There’s no obligation to commit, just a conversation. Spots are limited and filling quickly for the 2027–2028 school year.

Schedule Your 30-Minute Call

Prefer to reach us directly? Contact Dr. Jen Foster
at fosterjen@missouri.edu or 417-274-1894.

Path to Participation

1
Express Interest

Complete Interest Form (2 min.)

2
Connect & Learn

Attend a virtual informational meeting (30 min.)

3
Formalize Partnership

Complete required paperwork (30 min.)

4
Cohort Launch

Participate (PD one semester, Data Collection 1 school year)

PAL Partnership & Research Timeline

Because this project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, this allows us to offer these high-level professional learning tracks to your district at little to no cost. We are required to conduct a rigorous evaluation of PAL 2.0’s effectiveness and American Institutes of Research (AIR) is our external evaluation partner that supports data collection and analysis. 

Pal 2.0 Cohort 3 Timeline

PAL 2.0 Cohort 3: 2027–2028 School Year Timeline

Program Phases

  • Recruitment: April 2026 – January 2027
  • Randomization: January 2027 – March 2027
  • Summer/Fall: June 2027 – December 2027
  • Winter/Spring: December 2027 – May 2028

Recruitment Steps

  1. Register to receive information
  2. Attend 30-minute virtual meeting
  3. Sign Letter of Commitment
  4. Await randomization

Data Collection: June 2027 – May 2028

  • Initial (June 2027): Administrator survey, Teacher-Leader survey, Teacher survey part 1
  • Class Snapshot 1 (September–October 2027): Teacher survey part 2
  • Mid Year (December 2027 – January 2028): Administrator survey, Teacher-Leader survey, Teacher survey part 3
  • Class Snapshot 2 (April–May 2028): Exit interviews
  • Final (May 2028): Administrator survey, Teacher-Leader survey, Teacher survey part 4

Brief Surveys: Short, 20-minute surveys for students, teachers, and administrators to capture shifts in school culture and efficacy are conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of the project.

Classroom Snapshots: To see the strategies in action, teachers record two class periods per year. These are used solely for research purposes to measure instructional growth.

Select Interviews: Select participants may be invited to participate in brief interviews to help the team better understand the impact and cost of participating in the project.

Demographic Data: AIR will collect additional demographic data, attendance records, state assessment data, etc. to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

Secure Data Sharing: AIR coordinates directly with your district for a secure, fully de-identified transfer of necessary student and teacher data. The process is low-burden for your team and strictly follows University of Missouri IRB guidelines and all applicable privacy standards.

Maximize instructional time, support teacher professional growth, and promote positive student behavior.

Complete this form to share your interest in participating in the PAL Classrooms 2.0 project. 

Contact Dr. Jen Foster at fosterjen@missouri.edu or 417-274-1894, project coordinator, University of Missouri, eMINTS National Center.

*Note: This is a federally-funded research project approved by the University of Missouri IRB. Participation is completely voluntary. You may decline or withdraw at any time without any impact on your school or district.

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