IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Tennessee
What should present levels include in a Tennessee IEP?
In Tennessee, the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) section is the cornerstone of the IEP, as required by Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12. This section must describe in objective, measurable terms 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 grounded in comprehensive evaluation data including formal assessments, classroom-based measures, teacher and parent input, and observations. Tennessee guidance emphasizes that present levels must clearly establish a baseline from which all annual goals are derived. The IEP team must collaboratively develop this section. For transition-age students (age 14 and older in Tennessee), present levels must reflect results of age-appropriate transition assessments.
What Tennessee Requires
Present levels must describe how the child's disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, stated in objective, measurable terms (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on comprehensive evaluation data including formal assessments, classroom-based measures, teacher observations, and parent input (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.11; 34 CFR 300.304).
All measurable annual goals must logically derive from and directly connect to the documented present levels (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12).
For transition-age students (age 14+ in Tennessee), present levels must include results of age-appropriate transition assessments addressing postsecondary education/training, employment, and independent living (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12(2)(b)).
Parent concerns about enhancing their child's education must be considered and documented by the IEP team (34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(ii)).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review with current data reflecting the student's performance (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Reevaluation data informing present levels must be gathered at least every three years (triennial) unless the parent and LEA agree it is unnecessary (34 CFR 300.303).
Updated present levels must reflect evaluation data obtained within the 60 calendar day evaluation timeline (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.05(1)(f)).