Crafting effective Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that genuinely benefit our students can be challenging. Whether you’re wrapping up your IEPs for the year or gearing up for the next school year, check out the tip below for improving your present levels description.
Meaningful Present Levels of Performance
One of the foundational elements of an IEP is the Present Levels of Performance (PLOP). This section sets the stage for all subsequent goal-setting and service decisions. A common challenge many school psychs face is their uncertainty about what to include in this section. Do I reiterate what I found with the BASC or is there something else I should be sharing?
The primary purpose of the PLOP is to provide a clear baseline from which to measure progress. This means including detailed information that can directly inform goal development. Instead of simply copying and pasting from assessment reports, think about how the data can illustrate the student’s current abilities and needs. Would someone be able to write a goal based on what you write in the student’s present levels for social/emotional and behavioral functioning?
