Learning Abled Kids®
As you are writing your child’s Present Level of Performance (PLOP) statement, have you considered your child’s learning strengths? Schools often overlook strengths in favor of disabilities. However, learning strengths are just as important! The Present Level of Performance Examples below will help you write an great PLOP section in your child’s IEP!
PLOP statements are sometimes called the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statement. As you read the present level of performance examples, remember documents which show your child’s current level of function are worth putting in with the PLOP statement.
Are your child’s strengths, current scores, and other indicators of your child’s PLOP documented in your child’s IEP? Have you documented everything you think is important?
When Writing your child’s Present Level of Performance (PLOP), begin with your child’s “Can Do” abilities. By noting your child’s strengths, it will help you determine if he’s making progress. You’ll also be better able to see what services will support your child in his learning.
1) Describe Your child’s learning strengths.
2) Describe your child’s weaknesses.
3) Provide objective data from your child’s evaluation results.
4) Write a paragraph containing the information gathered in the prior steps. Write a statement documenting the ways your child’s strengths can help him learn and overcome his weaknesses.
Be certain to consider your child’s:
• Learning style.
• Attention strengths or deficits.
• Organization skills.
• Social skills.
• Creative thinking abilities.
• Logical reasoning.
• Physical abilities (fatigue, sensory issues, etc.).
Any of the areas listed can be strengths or weaknesses. When thinking of your child, consider all aspects your child’s development. That way, you can write the best PLOP statement possible.
Sara is quiet in the classroom. Her visual memory and visual processing scores are above average, so she learns easily through pictures and images. She is ahead of her peers in science and social studies, as well as in writing and reading.
Sara’s standardized reading composite test score is at the 73rd percentile. Her writing composite is at the 69th percentile. Sara struggles with math. Her standardized scores for math computation are at the 12th percentile. Her math reasoning scores are at the 18th percentile.
Sara requires a lot of support to stay on task, especially to complete her math problems. She does better when she is provided a number-line or calculator. Sara’s mom reports that Sara frequently cries about completing her math homework. It also takes Sara more than an hour to complete one worksheet. Otherwise, Sara is happy, and seems eager to please her teachers by doing her best work.
Johnny loves math and science. His standardized test scores in math are in the superior range for all subtests. His reading and writing standardized test scores are in the above average range, but his classroom performance varies greatly. Johnny is a quick thinker. He is fast with his work, and he is eager to share his knowledge with his classmates. Johnny is very active and energetic. Johnny also loves completing hands-on projects in the classroom and at home.
With his quick work ability and high energy, Johnny has a difficult time sitting in a desk for a long period of time. If he can get up and move around, then he is able to complete his work. If Johnny sits for a long time, then he has difficulty with his focus on a book or worksheet. Johnny easily completes the work when he can stand by his desk or at a table at the back of the room.
SO, with those Present Level of Performance Examples, practice writing a Present Level of Performance statement for your child. Grab your notebook, look at your child’s strengths, and consider her struggles.
Write some Present Level of Performance Examples for your child too. The Present Level of Performance Examples you write can be incorporated into your child’s next IEP. Classroom teachers will want to add their observations, and you’ll also need to add test scores.
Remember your input is critical for helping your child’s school develop a full understanding of how your child learns. Therefore, writing out your own Present Level of Performance Examples for your child will help you find the best ways to provide your child with a positive educational experience!
