PALS in Action
PALS (Partnerships to Advance Learning Systems) was piloted in the Spring of 2021 in collaboration with Duquesne University to simultaneously support teachers-in-training and K-12 students experiencing learning disruptions from the pandemic. Even as hybrid models emerged, Duquesne (and the nation’s) preservice teachers were faced with learning a profession at a time when our understanding of educational delivery was changing daily.
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In 2022, PALS was formalized and integrated into teacher preparation programs at Carlow University and University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, enabling the deployment of roughly 85 preservice teachers to support approximately 120 of Pittsburgh's high-needs learners via remote tutoring. These pre-service teachers have provided 1000+ hours of free tutoring for learners in Out-of-School Time (OST) programs.
Mobile learning labs, consisting of laptops, headsets, document readers, and Wi-Fi hotspots are provided to the organizations to facilitate access.
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ASSET Education Specialists moderate all sessions and provide real-time coaching to the pre-service educators. In addition, several professional development sessions are provided as part of coursework.
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Through federal, state, and local funding, ASSET continues to evolve and expand its work within and beyond PA. Additional higher education partners include: Westminster College, Waynesburg University, and West Virginia Northern Community College.
PALS Tutoring Sites
H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow
Sheraden, PA
Founded in 2010, H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow aims to help students be competitive in the global community despite various economic and societal risk factors.
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"ASSET does an amazing job with providing the services and supporting the students."
Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center (MACAC)
Lincoln/Larimer, PA
MACAC provides a variety of programs, services, resources and information to the community and promotes collaborative efforts with entities that are vital to the community.
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"The things that the tutors set up when the students didn’t have homework were really beneficial. (ASSET) pulled some good resources.”
Kidcelerate
Northview Heights
Child-centered enrichment programming in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) that provides topnotch curriculum with professional teachers and nutritious meals for children
IDEA Center
Wheeling, WV
Started in 2019, the IDEA (Individual, Development, and Education Assistance) Center is located on the West Virginia Northern Community College Wheeling campus and provides students of all ages and grade levels with both in-person and virtual tutoring services.