Whether your school calls them PLOPs or PLAFPs, the present levels of performance page indicates your student’s current level of success. With so much data and so many options of what to include, it can be challenging to narrow it down. So, what should you include on the PLOPs page?
Veteran teachers from around the country shared what they write on their PLOPs pages to give you a better idea of what is appropriate to include. Take a look at their answers below and make a list of what you’re missing or would like to also include. Make your next PLOP page one that’s comprehensive and paints an accurate picture of a child’s progress.
Some schools or districts may have guidelines for what they want teachers to include in the PLOP, so always check with your special education coordinator before starting your first PLOP. For those with more freedom to add information, the suggestions below may enrich your PLOP writing and help you create a document that genuinely reflects your student’s growth.
1 – Statements About How the Student is Performing in All Subject AreasA one or two-sentence statement about the student’s performance in all of their subject areas is helpful to include. It creates an overall picture versus one that’s confined to one subject.
In addition to the statements about how a student is performing in academic areas, the progress being made in support services is also essential to include. Write one or two sentences to describe the progress being displayed in each of these areas as well.
It’s important to show progress, but it’s also vital to show how the student’s disability impacts his or her learning in the classroom. This creates a realistic, broad picture of how learning is being affected and gives clues as to how those barriers can be addressed.
If writing strong present level and impact statements is something you have a hard time with – let us help! The IEP Toolkit inside of The Intentional IEP has 2 great resources for you to use to make sure these statements are the best representation of your students. Join TII Membership here or by clicking the image above.
A brief comparison of the student’s development and progress to typically developing peers creates a benchmark of what is considered the norm for students of that age. It helps identify the gap and creates the opportunity to bridge it as much as possible.
Looking at the child in a holistic manner means understanding where he is emotionally and socially, as well as academically. A few sentences about the student’s social and emotional growth is equally as important as the descriptions of his academic progress.
Here is a short snippet from one of the trainings inside of TII membership about present levels:
The membership also provides guidance on Having an Organized IEP Process, which can be challenging for anyone!
You can join The Intentional IEP to gain access to over 150+ different IEP related trainings, and access to our IEP Goal Bank. Click the image above to join!
Depending on your district, there may be room for including numerical data. Past and current test scores, class grades, etc. are typically included in the numbers section of a PLOP sheet.
Many PLOPs include a listing of the student’s current goals and where he is in terms of meeting them. This is usually stated as a percentage and is presented as quantitative data only with no opinions included.
Some PLOPs include the student’s new goals for the current IEP.
Typically, a PLOP sheet includes the student’s strengths and weaknesses both in an academic area and in social/emotional areas as well.
A paragraph from the classroom teacher describing her observations and opinions of the student’s work habits, strengths, weaknesses, and growth are also helpful in creating the big picture.
Not feeling confident with what to include in the Present Levels? Check out IEP Meeting Toolkit that comes with a Present Levels Template that will make your life much easier!
What do you include in your PLOPs? Share anything that was missed in the comments below. We would love to hear what your district includes!
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