Transform Your School Climate with PAL 2.0
Now Recruiting Middle Schools for Cohort 3
(2027-2028 School year)
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.
What would your teachers do with 30 more minutes of instruction every week?
PAL 2.0 transforms classroom management from reactive discipline to proactive, prosocial engagement.
What is PAL 2.0?
PAL Classrooms 2.0 is a federally funded professional learning initiative that equips middle school 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.
Why Participate in PAL Classrooms 2.0
The Prosocial Advantage: We are changing the approach to discipline by helping teachers be proactive, creating a classroom environment where every student feels comfortable, welcome, and ready to learn.
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.
- No Scripted Lessons: These strategies are designed to be woven into existing instruction, not taught as a separate, rigid curriculum.
- Student Self-Regulation: Rather than just managing “unwanted behavior,” PAL 2.0 helps teachers create an environment where students learn to regulate their own actions, collaborate with peers, and treat others with kindness and respect.
- Reclaim Your Classroom: Because these strategies are proactive and integrated, they work. In our Texas pilot study, teachers gained an average of 30 minutes of instruction per week, time previously lost to reactive discipline.
Project Eligibility
Is Your School Eligible for PAL Classrooms 2.0 Cohort 3 (2027–2028)?
- Schools serve middle school students in grades 6–8 (or equivalent middle-level configuration).
- Located anywhere in the United States (public or charter schools that receive federal funds are welcome).
- Has at least 2 teachers who support 6–8 grade students and are willing/able to participate in a self-paced, asynchronous, online professional learning course designed to enhance classroom management practices (all teachers in relevant grades are encouraged to join for maximum impact!).
- Has a school/district leader (principal or designee) who can sign a Letter of Commitment and support implementation.
- Able to participate in research activities (e.g., surveys, optional low-burden classroom observations: fully supported and de-identified).
- No prior eMINTS experience required. This is open to new partners!
*Note: Cohort 3 is the final federally funded opportunity to participate in this initiative at little to no cost to your district.
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.
- Less time spent dealing with unwanted behavior.
- More time on instruction.
- Greater opportunities for high-quality learning experiences.
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
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! 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? Schedule A 30-Minute Info Call
Cohort 3 is the final federally funded cohort. Once these slots are filled, this opportunity closes. If the 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 and walk away with clear answers to questions like:
- What does participation actually look like for my teachers and administrators?
- What is the time commitment, and how does it fit into our school year?
- How does the research component work, and what data is involved?
- What comes next if we decide to move forward?
There’s no obligation to commit, just a conversation. Spots are limited and filling quickly for the 2027–2028 school year.
Prefer to reach us directly? Contact Dr. Jen Foster
at fosterjen@missouri.edu or 417-274-1894.
Professional Learning Tracks
Teachers
Implementing PAL Strategies
- Self-paced online course
- Book study
- Virtual community of practice and online coaching
$1000 Stipend
Teacher-Leaders
Teacher Course +
- Additional course in adult mentoring
- Plan and support teachers in completing the teacher course
$1400 Stipend
Administrators
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
*Note: Stipends are paid to the district, which then pays the participants.
Path to Participation
Express Interest
Action: Complete Registration Form (2 min.)
Goal: Provide basic school details, so we can follow up.
Connect & Learn
Action: Attend a virtual informational meeting (30 min.)
Goal: We will walk you through the specifics and answer your questions.
Formalize Partnership
Action: Complete required paperwork (30 min.)
Goal: This document outlines the commitment and secures your district’s participation.
Cohort Launch
Action: Participate (PD one semester, Data Collection 1 school year)
Goal: Your team gains access to the professional learning materials and support.
Cohort 3 (2027 – 2028 School Year) Research Design
Once your paperwork is complete, your school will be randomly assigned to either the Summer/Fall Track (Professional Learning begins June 2027) or the Winter/Spring Track (Professional Learning begins November 2027).
Important: Both tracks receive the identical professional learning experience and the same stipend opportunities for teachers and administrators within the same school year.
Research Partnership & 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: 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
- Register to receive information
- Attend 30-minute virtual meeting
- Sign Letter of Commitment
- 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
Reclaim instructional time. Empower teachers. Improve student Behavior. Build prosocial classrooms.
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.
