The Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) is a crucial part of your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). This section gives the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee a comprehensive understanding of your child’s current academic and functional performance. Let’s break down what goes into the PLAAFP and how you can play an active role in the process.
The PLAAFP is built using data from multiple sources to provide a complete picture of your child’s abilities. Let’s take a deep dive into what that data can include.
What Data Can We Find in the PLAAFP?
Evaluations and Assessments:
- Full Individual Evaluation (FIE)
- Standardized test results (e.g., STAAR)
- Benchmark Testing/District Assessment Data (MAP Testing, DIBELS, etc.)
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
- Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced test scores
Classroom Data:
- Teacher observations and anecdotal notes
- Progress on previous IEP goals
- Work samples and student portfolios
- Checklists, inventories, and rubrics
- Behavior reports and incident logs
Accommodations and Modifications:
- Specific adaptations used in the classroom with quantifiable data reflecting their effectiveness
- Data supporting the effectiveness of accommodations (e.g., test scores with and without accommodations)
Family Input:
- Information on student health and medical conditions
- Behavioral observations from home or community settings
- Changes in the home environment
- Details about outside services (e.g., private therapy) or community activities
- Generalization of mastered skills to the home and community settings
Related Services and Additional Supports:
- Speech therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy data
- Data on the use and effectiveness of assistive technology
- Current performance in areas where related services are provided, including behavioral support
Baseline Data:
- Current academic performance in relation to grade-level expectations
- Functional performance in areas such as communication, social skills, and self-help skills
- Observable and measurable data points that establish where the student is currently performing in relation to specific goals
Strengths and Areas of Need:
- Identification of the student’s strengths
- Critical areas where the student needs support or intervention
- Data-driven analysis of how the student’s disability affects their access to the general education curriculum
Keep in mind that each student will have a unique set of data points. This list is not exhaustive but offers examples of common data points that may be considered in a PLAAFP.
Evaluations
Evaluations provide formal assessments of your child’s abilities and challenges. These may include:
- Full Individual Evaluations (FIE)
- Standardized tests like STAAR
- Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
The PLAAFP will identify any disabilities reported in the FIE and describe how they affect your child’s ability to access and progress in the general education curriculum. For preschoolers, it explains how the disability impacts participation in appropriate activities.
Classroom Data
Classroom data is gathered from everyday activities and can include:
- Anecdotal notes from teachers
- Checklists and inventories
- Work samples and behavior reports
This data shows your child’s progress on last year’s IEP goals in measurable terms. If there’s a lack of progress, the PLAAFP should explain why.
Accommodations and Modifications
These are the specific adaptations made to support your child in the classroom. The PLAAFP should include:
- Specific statements about the adaptations used
- Quantifiable data justifying why these adaptations are necessary
Family Input
Your knowledge of your child’s life outside school is crucial. The PLAAFP includes:
- Health information, behavior in different settings, and changes in the home environment
- Details about outside services your child may be receiving, like therapy or extracurricular activities
Additional Supports
If your child needs extra help, such as:
- Related services like speech therapy or occupational therapy
- Assistive technology to aid learning
The PLAAFP will provide data to justify these supports and detail your child’s current performance in these areas.
Why is Data So Important?
Baseline data in the PLAAFP provides a starting point for setting IEP goals. It reflects your child’s current performance in both academic and functional areas. Here’s why it’s important:
- Measuring Progress: Baseline data allows the ARD committee to set realistic, measurable goals for your child. Without it, there’s no way to track whether your child is making progress.
- Setting the Right Goals: Understanding where your child starts helps in setting achievable goals that are both challenging and attainable.
Make sure the PLAAFP includes clear, measurable baseline data. This information is key to ensuring your child’s IEP is tailored to their needs.
How will the Committee Use the Data Moving Forward?
The data collected for the PLAAFP doesn’t just sit in a file; it’s actively used to monitor your child’s progress throughout the year. Here’s how:
- Regular Reviews: The ARD committee will regularly review your child’s progress against the goals set in the IEP.
- Adjustments: If your child isn’t making expected progress, the IEP may be adjusted to better meet their needs.
- Parent Involvement: You should receive updates on your child’s progress. Don’t hesitate to ask for a meeting if you’re concerned about how things are going.
Understanding this process ensures that you can advocate for timely adjustments if your child isn’t making progress.
Legal Requirements: Know Your Rights
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets specific requirements for the PLAAFP. Here’s what you need to know:
- Comprehensive Information: The PLAAFP must provide a thorough overview of your child’s current performance levels.
- Impact on Curriculum: The PLAAFP must describe how your child’s disability affects their ability to participate in and progress through the general education curriculum.
Being aware of these requirements helps you ensure that your child’s PLAAFP meets legal standards.
More from the PLAAFP guide:
What is the PLAAFP?: Discover how the PLAAFP summarizes your child’s current abilities and needs based on assessments and observations.
Role of Testing in the PLAAFP: Learn how standardized tests and other assessments provide a snapshot of your child’s strengths and challenges.
Translating Data into Action: Understand how raw test scores and data points are transformed into actionable goals and interventions in the PLAAFP.
Review for Quality: Tips on how to review and question the data to ensure it truly reflects your child’s needs and abilities.
