IEP Present Levels of Performance (PLOP)

IEP Present Levels of Performance - What is your child able to do?

When considering the Present Levels of Performance (PLOP), it is helpful to begin with the "Can Do" abilities of the child. By providing information on the child's strengths, it will be easier to determine what types of services will support a child in his learning.

1) Describe strengths: Is your child a visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic learner? Does he have capabilities in certain subjects such as science, social studies, reading, writing, mathematics, social skills, logic? Can his strengths be used for alternative teaching methods to enable better learning? Any ability the child has should be mentioned because those skills can be used to teach a child.

2) Describe weaknesses including aspects of the classroom environment which interfere with learning and specific information on activities the child has difficulty performing or completing. Some standardized test results can be used to provide accurate information regarding a child's level of ability.

3) Provide objective data from the child's evaluation results. Document the child's current level of academic achievement or capabilities in other areas. Where possible, use actual data such as Standard Scores or percentile rankings.

4) Write a paragraph combining the information gathered in steps one through three. State ways your child's strengths can be used to overcome his weaknesses.

Be certain to consider:
• Learning style
• Attention
• Organizational skills
• Social skills
• Creative thinking abilities
• Logical reasoning
• Physical abilities

Any of these areas can be strengths or weaknesses. When thinking of the individual child, it is necessary to consider all aspects of child development.

The time of truth has arrived. Get your notebook, look at your child's strengths (listed earlier). Consider her struggles. Write a well thought out PLOP statement for your child which can be used in her next IEP meetings. Remember your input is critical for developing a full understanding of how your child learns and for providing her a positive educational experience!

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