IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Idaho
What should present levels include in a Idaho IEP?
Idaho requires that each IEP include a statement of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), implemented through IDAPA 08.02.03.110.01, consistent with 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1). The PLAAFP must describe how the student's disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum (or, for preschool students, participation in appropriate activities). Present levels must be grounded in evaluation data gathered through a variety of tools and strategies, including information provided by parents, as required by IDAPA 08.02.03.097. Idaho's evaluation procedures require that assessments be selected and administered to yield technically sound information, be non-discriminatory, and be conducted in the student's primary language. For students being evaluated for specific learning disabilities (SLD), Idaho allows use of either a discrepancy model or a response-to-intervention (RTI)/problem-solving model, and observations of academic performance must be documented (IDAPA 08.02.03.100). Annual goals must flow directly from the present levels, and the PLAAFP must include a baseline from which progress toward annual goals can be measured.
What Idaho Requires
Present levels must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, or participation in appropriate activities for preschool students (IDAPA 08.02.03.110.01; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on current evaluation data gathered through a variety of tools and strategies; no single measure may be the sole criterion (IDAPA 08.02.03.097; 34 CFR 300.304(b)).
For SLD eligibility, classroom observation data documenting academic performance and behavior in areas of difficulty must be included in the evaluation and form part of the present levels (IDAPA 08.02.03.100).
Parent information and concerns regarding the education of their child must be considered during IEP development and may be reflected in the PLAAFP (IDAPA 08.02.03.110; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)).
All measurable annual goals must flow from the documented present levels, addressing each identified area of need (IDAPA 08.02.03.110.02; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review with current performance data (IDAPA 08.02.03.110; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Reevaluation data refreshing present levels must occur at least every three years unless parent and district agree it is unnecessary (IDAPA 08.02.03.097.02; 34 CFR 300.303).
Evaluation reports serving as the basis for present levels must be completed within the 60-calendar-day evaluation timeline (IDAPA 08.02.03.097.01).