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Peer Assistance and Leadership, PAL, is an elective course offered for one or two years of
state credit at the high school level for students who are juniors or seniors. Eighth grade middle
school students who take PAL as an elective receive one year of local credit. PAL can also be
part of the elementary school curriculum. During the 2000-2001 school year there were 376
PAL students in the North East Independent School District. In the 2001-2002 school year that
number has grown to over 500.
This program is a peer helping program. Students selected to be PALs serve
as contacts for other students who may need someone to talk with or may
need help. The PAL teams consist of trained peer
helpers who promote a positive, supportive and productive school experience for
students throughout the district.
The ISA PAL program strives to reflect as broad a cross-section
of the campus as possible. PALs receive intense training in many areas,
including:
- communication and listening skills
- peer mediation
- alcohol and drug issues
- group facilitation
- various other issues facing teens
PALs also become familiar with the resources available for dealing with
other serious or life-threatening issues that extend beyond their training
and helping abilities. PAL is based on youth helping youth, through
listening and caring. |