IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Missouri
What should present levels include in a Missouri IEP?
In Missouri, present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) are the foundation of the IEP, as required by Missouri State Plan Regulation IV and 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1). The PLAAFP must describe how the child's disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, or for preschool children, how the disability affects participation in appropriate activities. Present levels must be based on a comprehensive evaluation using multiple assessment tools; Missouri prohibits using a single measure as the sole criterion for eligibility or programming decisions (34 CFR 300.304(b)). For transition-age students (age 16 and older), present levels must include results of age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and independent living skills. Missouri uses the standard federal 'IEP Team' designation, including parents, at least one regular education teacher, at least one special education teacher or provider, a public agency representative qualified to provide or supervise specially designed instruction, an individual who can interpret evaluation results, and the student when appropriate (34 CFR 300.321). Parent concerns and input are integral to developing present levels under Missouri procedures.
What Missouri Requires
Present levels must describe how the child's disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, with specific academic and functional data (Missouri State Plan, Regulation IV; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on a comprehensive evaluation using a variety of assessment tools and strategies; no single measure may serve as the sole criterion for eligibility or programming (34 CFR 300.304(b)).
For transition-age students (age 16 and older), present levels must include results of age-appropriate transition assessments covering training, education, employment, and independent living (34 CFR 300.320(b)).
Parent concerns for enhancing the education of their child must be considered and documented by the IEP team (34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(ii)).
All measurable annual goals must flow from identified needs described in present levels, addressing disability-related needs across all affected areas (34 CFR 300.320(a)(2)).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review, at minimum annually (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years unless the parent and LEA agree it is unnecessary, or more frequently if conditions warrant or if requested by parent or teacher (34 CFR 300.303).
Evaluation reports must be provided to parents and used to inform the eligibility and IEP meeting (34 CFR 300.306(a)).