IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in Utah
What should present levels include in a Utah IEP?
Utah requires that each IEP include a statement of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), consistent with Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201 and federal law (34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)). The PLAAFP must describe, in objective and 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. Utah's evaluation rules under R277-750-301 require that evaluations use a variety of assessments and information-gathering tools so that the PLAAFP reflects a comprehensive picture of the student's strengths and needs across all relevant domains. Parent input is a required component of IEP development under R277-750-201(2), and parents must receive a copy of their child's evaluation report before the IEP meeting. For transition-age students, present levels must incorporate results of age-appropriate transition assessments covering postsecondary education, training, employment, and independent living. All annual goals must flow directly from the present levels and address identified areas of disability-related need.
What Utah Requires
Present levels must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general education curriculum (or in appropriate activities for preschool students), in objective and measurable terms (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be grounded in data from a multi-source evaluation using a variety of tools and strategies; no single assessment may be the sole criterion (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-301; 34 CFR 300.304(b)).
For transition-age students (age 14 or younger when appropriate), present levels must incorporate results of age-appropriate transition assessments addressing education, training, employment, and independent living (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.320(b)(1)).
Parent input and concerns for enhancing the education of their child must be considered and documented (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(ii)).
Each annual goal must directly flow from and be supported by the documented present levels of performance.
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review with current data (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-201; 34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Reevaluation data refreshing present levels must occur at least every three years (Utah Admin. Code R277-750-301; 34 CFR 300.303).
Initial evaluation must be completed within 45 school days of parental consent, providing the data basis for initial present levels (USBE Special Education Rules II.D.2.a; Utah Admin. Code R277-750-301).