It gave us just as much information as the ELP, but the difference is the amount of time it takes. Contrary to persistent rumors, the Early Literacy Profile is a suggested assessment tool - not a state mandate. Central Islip provides a substitute teacher for two days twice a year to allow classroom instructors to administer the PALS test, once in the fall and again in the spring. PALS takes about 35 minutes per student for individual assessment and 20 minutes for small group activities, Central Islip teachers found. If a child falls below benchmark in a group activity like rhyming, additional individual screening is given.
Training is minimal.
It's very straightforward. Paperwork is also minimal. The small group scoring section takes less than 15 minutes. PALS offers K-3 screening materials, but Central Islip uses it only at the kindergarten level. The efficient PALS screening also avoids test overload for the students at such an early age, Kuhn noted.