Principals can also request CBM data from teachers as part of an accountability plan. Research shows that CBM performance correlates highly with performance on the kinds of commercialized standardized tests used in states' accountability programs. As with PALS, CBM research findings have been widely published in major educational journals. Currently, CBM is only available on Macintosh computers. Originally, PALS was designed to be used in grades 2-6 classrooms.
Materials are minimal and inexpensive.
To learn about PALS, teachers will need the PALS teacher's manual. To train the class, teachers will need a box of blank transparencies, an overhead projector, and a transparency pen. Each pair of students will need pocket folders to hold the PALS materials. So if there are 26 students in a class, the teacher will need to purchase 13 folders. We also recommend that teachers purchase a kitchen timer to help with pacing during the lesson.