IEP Present Levels (PLAAFP) in West Virginia
What should present levels include in a West Virginia IEP?
West Virginia requires that each IEP include a statement of the student's present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP), consistent with W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.1.2.a and federal law. The PLAAFP must describe, in objective and measurable terms, how the disability affects the student's involvement and progress in the general curriculum, or for preschool children, how the disability affects participation in appropriate activities. Present levels must be grounded in multi-disciplinary evaluation data required by W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-6, which mandates use of a variety of technically sound assessment tools and strategies and prohibits reliance on any single measure. Parent input and concerns must be considered and documented as part of the IEP development process (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.1.1; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(ii)). For transition-age students, present levels should incorporate age-appropriate transition assessment data addressing postsecondary education, vocational education, employment, and independent living. Annual goals must flow directly from the documented present levels.
What West Virginia Requires
Present levels must describe how the disability affects involvement and progress in the general curriculum, or for preschool students, participation in appropriate activities (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.1.2.a; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)).
Present levels must be based on a variety of technically sound instruments and strategies; no single measure may be used as the sole criterion (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-6.1.2; 34 CFR 300.304(b)).
Parent input and concerns regarding their child's education must be considered and documented during IEP development (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.1.1; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(ii)).
Evaluation reports providing the basis for present levels must be completed within the applicable evaluation timeline (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-6.3.1).
For transition-age students, present levels must incorporate age-appropriate transition assessment results covering education/training, employment, and when appropriate, independent living skills (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.2.1).
Key Timelines
Present levels must be updated at each annual IEP review (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-7.3).
Reevaluation data refreshing present levels must occur at least every three years (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-6.4.1; 34 CFR 300.303(b)).
Initial evaluation results forming the first present levels must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent for evaluation (W. Va. C.S.R. § 126-16-6.3.1).