IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Maine
What should present levels include in a Maine IEP?
Maine requires that each IEP include a statement of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), consistent with MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(a) and federal law. The PLAAFP must describe how the disability affects the student's involvement and progress in the general curriculum; for preschool students, how the disability affects participation in appropriate activities. Maine Chapter 101 requires evaluation data to be gathered using a variety of assessment tools and strategies (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(1)(b)), and no single procedure may be used as the sole eligibility criterion. The evaluation team must include a range of professionals who examine all areas of suspected disability. Evaluation reports must document present performance levels and educational needs, forming the foundation for the PLAAFP in the IEP. Parent input and concerns are required components of the IEP development process under MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(2). Annual goals must flow directly from the documented present levels.
What Maine Requires
Present levels must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general curriculum, or participation in appropriate activities for preschool students (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(1)(a); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on evaluation data gathered through a variety of tools and strategies; no single measure may be used as the sole criterion (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(1)(b)).
Assessments must be non-discriminatory on racial and cultural bases and conducted in the student's native language or mode of communication (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(1)(b)(iv)).
For students with specific learning disabilities, classroom observation data must be part of the evaluation and documented in the eligibility determination (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(5)(b)(ii)).
Parent input regarding their concerns for the child's education must be considered and documented during IEP development (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(2)).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review (MUSER Ch. 101 § VIII(5)).
Reevaluation data refreshing present levels must occur at least every three years (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(3)(a)).
Evaluation reports providing the basis for present levels must be completed within the 60-calendar-day evaluation timeline (MUSER Ch. 101 § VII(2)(a)).