Present Levels of Performance (PLOP/PLAAFP)
A section of the IEP that describes how your child is currently performing academically and functionally. It's the starting point for setting goals and planning services.
Federal rule: 34 CFR § 300.320(a)(1) — Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance
Where PLOP/PLAAFP shows up in your IEP
Present levels is usually the first long narrative in the document, a page or two ahead of the goals. It should carry numbers — reading rate, error counts, percentages, dates — and a sentence on how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general curriculum. Everything after it is supposed to follow from it, so read this part first.
What to ask at the meeting
- When were these numbers collected, and how exactly were they measured?
- Where does this section say how the disability affects the general curriculum?
- Which sentence here is the reason each goal was chosen?
Red flags
- The section describes personality and effort and contains almost no measurable data.
- Scores appear with no dates, so nobody can tell how current any of them are.
- A goal exists for a skill this section never mentions at all.
Example
Amara's present levels said she was a hard worker who always tries her best. Her father asked for numbers, and the team came back with a reading rate of 52 words per minute against a class median near 90. That single figure reframed the meeting: the goals were rewritten around fluency, with 52 recorded as the starting point.
Common questions
Why does this section matter so much?
Because it is the foundation the rest of the document is built on. A goal without a starting point cannot be measured, and a service without a described need is hard to defend at the next meeting, so a vague narrative here weakens everything downstream.
Can I add what I see at home?
Yes, and it is worth writing a short paragraph and asking for it to be included. Parent input belongs here, and one specific observation about homework or mornings often names a need the school data missed.
What if the numbers look old?
Ask when each was gathered and whether anything fresher exists. Teams often hold more recent classroom data than what made it onto the form, and updating this part before the goals are written saves rewriting them afterward.
Related Terms
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
A written plan created for your child that describes their current abilities, sets learning goals, and lists the special education services they will receive. It's a legal document that the school must follow.
Annual Goals
Measurable goals in your child's IEP that describe what they should be able to accomplish within one year. Goals should be specific, measurable, and based on your child's present levels of performance.
Baseline
A measure of your child's current performance level before starting a new intervention or goal. It provides a starting point to track progress.
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Check the Whole IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.