Understanding Present Levels of Performance in Your Child’s IEP: A Crash Course for Parents
The IEP Expert Explains: A 4-Part Series by Chrissy Liptrot
Navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process can feel overwhelming for parents, especially when understanding its key components is critical to ensuring your child’s success. In this 4-part series, IEP expert Chrissy Liptrot will guide you step-by-step through the IEP process, breaking down essential topics each month to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to confidently advocate for your child.
Here’s what you can expect:
January: Present Levels of Performance
February: Goals
March: Accommodations and Modifications
April: Related Services
Stay tuned throughout the year as we explore additional topics like Extended School Year (ESY), 504 Plans, and preparing for the school year ahead. Each article will equip you with actionable strategies and insights, helping you better understand your child’s rights and needs.
From Jodi Liston, Founder of Liston Education Group
I am so excited to introduce you to this new series by Chrissy Liptrot, an experienced educator and IEP expert and advocate. Chrissy is our go to at Liston Education Group to help families like yours navigate the often confusing and intimidating IEP process.
As someone who has worked with hundreds of families over the years, I know how important it is to have expert guidance during this journey. Chrissy’s unique background as both a teacher and an advocate gives her unparalleled insight into what it takes to create effective IEPs that truly meet a child’s needs.
This series is designed to demystify the process and give you the tools you need to ensure your child receives the support they deserve. We’re starting with the foundation of every IEP: Present Levels of Performance (PLPs). Let’s dive in!
The IEP Expert Chrissy Liptrot Explains: Present Levels of Performance (PLPs)
The Present Levels of Performance (PLPs) section serves as the foundation for your child’s IEP. It offers a clear and comprehensive picture of their current academic abilities, challenges, and progress. Understanding and advocating for accurate and thorough PLPs is critical, as this section sets the stage for your child’s educational goals, accommodations, and services.
What Are PLPs and Why Are They Important?
The Present Levels of Academic and Individual Needs must be current, accurate, and reflective of your child’s strengths and challenges. This section typically includes descriptions of progress in:
Reading
Writing
Math
Study Skills
However, some PLPs fall short of providing meaningful information, relying instead on test scores or grades.
A Not-So-Great Example of a PLP:
Reading: Sally received a 70% for the first marking period. In the second marking period, Sally earned 60% on homework assignments, 10% on classwork, and 80% on tests and quizzes. On the STAR assessment, Sally scored in the 25th percentile.
THIS IS NOT ENOUGH.
A Better Example of a PLP:
Reading: Sally is a very capable student in the ICT setting. Sally is able to read books of interest independently, though she struggles with understanding the main idea of content-area books and passages. Sally can identify the main character and retell the plot of the story but continues to work on understanding the theme or moral with teacher support. According to Sally’s F & P Assessment, Sally’s instructional reading level was J. Sally can use context clues to construct meaning but still struggles with reading multisyllabic words.
PLPs and Their Connection to Goals and Accommodations
Each deficit noted in the PLPs should correspond to a goal and/or an accommodation in the IEP.
In looking at our Reading Example, we can now see deficits in bold.
Reading: Sally is a very capable student in the ICT math setting. Sally is able to read books of interest independently, through struggles with understanding the main idea of content-area books and passages. Sally can identify the main character and retell the plot of the story and continues to work on understanding the theme or moral with teacher support. According to Sally’s F & P Assessment, Sally’s instructional reading level was J. Sally can use context clues to construct meaning but still struggles with reading multisyllabic words.
Now that we have identified the deficits, we can connect to a goal/accommodation.
For example:
Deficit (In Bold): Sally struggles with reading multisyllabic words.
Goal: Sally will accurately read multisyllabic words in grade-level texts with 80% accuracy.
Accommodation: Sally will receive teacher assistance and access to resources such as vocabulary aids.
The relationship between PLPs, goals, and accommodations is crucial. Without detailed PLPs, it’s difficult to build a strong IEP or advocate for the support your child needs. When done correctly, this section sets the tone for the rest of the IEP and ensures your child’s unique challenges are addressed in a meaningful way.
Meet Chrissy Liptrot: Your IEP Expert
Chrissy Liptrot is here to guide you every step of the way. With over a decade of experience in Special Education, Chrissy has worked closely with families to navigate the complexities of IEPs and 504 plans. Her unique perspective as both a teacher and an advocate gives her unmatched expertise in this area.
Here’s what makes Chrissy the expert you can trust:
Classroom Expertise: Chrissy has taught in public and private schools across NYC and Westchester County, working with students of all abilities.
Advocacy Skills: She has supported families through hundreds of IEP meetings, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed.
Passion for Access: Chrissy believes every student deserves access to learning, no matter their challenges.
If you need help navigating your child’s IEP, Chrissy is here to help. Her experience and dedication to families make her an invaluable resource for parents looking to ensure their child’s success.
Schedule a consultation with Chrissy to get expert guidance and feel confident advocating for your child.
Common Questions About PLPs
What if I have concerns that aren’t listed in the PLPs?
Use the Parent Concerns section of the IEP to document anything not reflected in the PLPs. This section allows you to communicate your child’s needs in your own words.
I don’t agree with how the school described my child’s PLPs. What can I do?
Gather your documentation—progress reports, work samples, or private evaluations. Request a meeting with your school district to address inaccuracies. If necessary, enlist the help of an IEP advocate like Chrissy.
How to Prepare for Your IEP Meeting
Before the Meeting:
Review your child’s strengths and challenges at home, using classwork and homework as references.
Jot down your thoughts, including specific concerns or strengths you want reflected in the IEP.
During the Meeting:
Speak up! Share your perspective on your child’s needs and ensure these are reflected in the IEP.
Take notes during the meeting to ensure all discussed items are included in the document.
Looking Ahead: Building on the Foundations of PLPs
The PLPs are just the beginning. They lay the groundwork for your child’s educational goals, accommodations, and overall support. As we explore these sections in future articles, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how each piece of the IEP fits together.
Coming Next Month:
In February’s article, we’ll take a closer look at IEP Goals—what makes a goal effective, common red flags to watch for, and how to track your child’s progress throughout the year. Stay tuned!