IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Kansas
What should present levels include in a Kansas IEP?
Kansas requires each IEP to include a statement of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), as required by K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(1) and 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1). The PLAAFP must describe how the disability affects the student's involvement and progress in the general curriculum, or for preschool students, how the disability affects participation in appropriate activities. Present levels must be grounded in comprehensive evaluation data gathered through a variety of tools and methods per K.A.R. 91-40-12, which prohibits reliance on any single assessment or criterion. Kansas emphasizes that present levels must be specific, measurable, and form the direct basis for annual goals — vague statements such as 'performs below grade level' are insufficient. For students with specific learning disabilities, Kansas evaluations under K.A.R. 91-40-13 must document classroom observations and the basis for the SLD determination. Parent input and concerns are a required consideration in IEP development (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)).
What Kansas Requires
Present levels must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general curriculum, or in age-appropriate activities for preschool students (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(1); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on evaluation data gathered through multiple tools and strategies; no single assessment may be the sole determinant (K.A.R. 91-40-12(b); 34 CFR 300.304(b)).
For SLD evaluations, classroom observation data documenting student performance in areas of difficulty must be documented and reflected in present levels (K.A.R. 91-40-13(c)).
Present levels must be specific and measurable, forming a clear baseline from which annual goals are developed (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)(1)).
Parent input on concerns about their child's education and performance must be considered and reflected in IEP development, including present levels (K.A.R. 91-40-17(a)).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review (K.A.R. 91-40-18(a); 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Triennial reevaluation data refreshing present levels must occur at least once every three years (K.A.R. 91-40-12(a); 34 CFR 300.303).
Evaluation reports providing the basis for initial present levels must be completed within 60 calendar days of consent (K.A.R. 91-40-11(c)).