Coming Soon

Updated PAL

This area of the PAL website provides information and resources for the updated PAL assessment that will be operational beginning in Fall 2025.

PAL is being updated to align to the 2021 revisions to the Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021 opens in a new window which incorporate anti-racist leadership competencies.

While the updated PAL tasks include the same prior components (i.e., Investigate, Prepare, Act, and Assess), the assessment has been reframed to include culturally responsive and evidence-based practices, self-reflection, and equity pauses. The updated PAL has also incorporated intentional equity pauses that encourage PAL candidates to pause and reflect on their actions, as well as the ideas and assumptions behind their actions.

PAL updates are outlined in the table below.

Task	Intentional Equity Pause	Artifact Updates	Evidence Charts	Rubrics
Task 1	Yes	Reframed to align to Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021 including attention on systemic bias and equity and ways to reduce barriers to learning	No changes	Four rubric indicators revised to align to revised Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021
Task 2	Yes	Reframed to align to Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021 including attention on culturally responsive and evidence-based practices, systemic bias and equity	No changes	Four rubric indicators revised to align to revised Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021
Task 3	Yes	Reframed to align to Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021 including attention on systemic bias and equity	No changes	No changes
Task 4	Yes	Reframed to align to Guidelines for the Preparation of Administrative Leaders in 2021 including attention on systemic bias and equity	No changes	No changes

All PAL tasks were reviewed by Massachusetts educators who participated on either a Bias Review Committee or a Content Advisory Committee. PAL materials were revised based on the input of the Massachusetts educators.

A pilot test of PAL Task 1 and PAL Task 2 was conducted in Fall 2024. The pilot test results have been used to finalize revisions to the PAL assessment.

A PAL Standard Setting Panel met to provide recommendations on the passing score for the updated Tasks. Their recommendations will be shared with the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, who will determine the passing score for the updated PAL.

The resources provided here are for informational purposes only. They should NOT be used to complete PAL tasks prior to Fall 2025.

Key Dates

Dates	Activity
July 10, 2025	Last submission date for the current version of PAL
July 11, 2025	PAL registration and ePortfolio systems unavailable Open registrations withdrawn and candidates refunded. While only the rubrics for Tasks 1 and 2 are changing, the registration process for all tasks will close for a short period for updates.
August 14, 2025	PAL score reporting from July 10, 2025, submission deadline
August 26, 2025	PAL registration and ePortfolio systems open Updated 2025–2026 PAL Candidate Assessment Handbook operational
November 13, 2025	First submission date for the updated PAL
December 22, 2025	PAL score reporting from November 13, 2025, submission date

FAQ

1. What happens to my PAL registration(s) after July 10, 2025?

If you are unable to complete your submission by July 10, 2025, your registration will be withdrawn, and you will need to re-register for PAL once the updated PAL launches on August 26, 2025.

If you paid by credit card, you will receive a full refund.
If you paid by voucher, your voucher will be returned so you may use it again.

2. What happens to materials that I have already uploaded to the ePortfolio System?

3. What happens to scores for PAL tasks that I have already completed?

Candidates who have already received a passing score on Tasks 1 and 2 prior to the transition to the revised PAL in the Fall of 2025 will continue to have their scores honored for the purposes of passing the full assessment following the transition. Per PAL Policy, scores on each PAL task remain valid for seven years from the score report date, and may be combined with scores on updated Tasks.

Updated PAL Handbook

Preview the updated PAL handbook for 2025–2026. PDF document

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