Start a conversation about strengths-based IEPs in our Working With Schools online community group. K is a 9-year-old, 4th-grade student who is eligible for special education services under the category of Specific Learning Disability. But by shifting the focus and putting a big emphasis on strengths, this new kind of IEP helps adultsand kidssee that theres more to these students than their weaknesses. In the meantime, you dont have to wait for your childs school to change its IEP template. His broad reading scores on standardized tests are: A number that compares the students performance to a typical student performance at a particular grade level. However, in a recent writing sample he had difficulty writing complete sentences and was unable to spell a number of sight words. The table below contains portions of one students PLAAFP statement that relate to his reading skills and shows how each element is addressed. The 4th-grade curriculum involves many independent reading activities. What makes student strengths effective is their ability to be targeted for goal setting. A student's strength is a positive attribute that can be used to help students reach their goals and become more successful in life. Logical reasoning. For an initial or reevaluation, the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP bridges the evaluation results with the other IEP components. Copyright 2014-2023 Understood For All Inc. should be based on the state academic standards, SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound), Like other annual IEP goals, they generally, Each goal should draw on two pieces of information. Regardless of school, district, or even country, the IEP has similar characteristics: To identify the learner's strengths and weaknesses, to set measurable goals and objectives, to identify the tools and resources (including people) needed, to identify the strategies needed to achieve the goals and finally, as a team, to commit. Emphasizing strengths throughout this section as well as weaknesses not only sets a positive tone. Academic strengths include; curiosity, creativity, imagination, critical thinking, organization, time management, delayed gratification, and impulse control. He continues to demonstrate a shorter attention span compared to his peers for several activities however overall it has greatly improved. Leaders embark on a journey to the bank of success. Student Strength Statements for IEP | Iep, Student, Sped teacher May 21, 2017 - 4 million free and priced teaching resources created by teachers for instant download including lesson plans, interactive notebooks, unit plans, novel studies, worksheets, printables, quizzes, task cards, math centers, projects and more. It is helpful, but not required, to briefly address the students present level in all areas. Let's discuss a few of the most common weaknesses found in students that hinder their academic growth. __________ is best at __________ has an amazing ability to, __________ always takes pride in his/her work when __________ is frequently recognized for __________ participates the most when __________ does this better than any other student, __________ is highly motivated by __________ is highly interested in. Her visual memory and visual processing scores are above average, so she learns easily through pictures and images. Academic Standard:Determine the main idea of a text. She is on a third grade instructional reading level. What are the strengths that make the student academically successful? Page modified . For example, students can lead the part of the meeting where they share what they discovered about themselves when taking the strengths test. Both of the Kansas SDE documents above explain each of the elements within a high-quality PLAAFP statement. He correctly capitalizes and uses appropriate ending punctuation. If there are many areas checked on both sides of the chart, the child may have a pattern of strengths and weaknesses consistent with that of identified GT/LD students. An IEP team can use student strengths to develop student success goals within the student's iep. Without a clear identification of [the childs] present levels, the IEP cannot set measurable goals, evaluate the childs progress and determine which educational and related services are needed. He takes a long time to solve problems and counts up and down to complete the task, not demonstrating an automatic recall of facts. Chris needs to increase written language skills in the area of spelling and needs to expand his written language skills beyond simple sentences to paragraph writing. Here are five to get you started: 1. Weaknesses: Analyzing complex information in a table or chart to draw conclusions about what the data say. And, focusing on and cultivating your child's strengths will help build self-esteem. Your childs IEP should have goals for each area of weakness in reading skills. When student strengths are utilized, students will become more active and enthusiastic participants in their educations. She has not had goals in this area during the past year. What are your Child's Strengths? Thus, if the statement describes a problem with the childs reading level and points to a deficiency in reading skills, the problem should be addressed under both goals and specific special education and related services provided to the child. Billy can match by color (field of 6) and sort items by colors (field of 4). A student with weaknesses in visual, spatial, or sequential aspects of math may. Really, it is a collaboration for all areas because whether its pre-vocational, whether its social-emotional, whether its math, whether its reading, its not just going to be one person who has information on that. His strong communication skills have also earned him the friendship and respect of his peers, many of whom look to K as a class leader. 1. Although Steven takes a little longer to process things than his peers, he always works hard and tries his best in class. J For example, the results of career exploration activities and formal and informal assessments can assist students and parents in identifying the young adult's strengths, weakness, preferences, and interests related to their post-secondary goals. This kind of IEP gives much more weight to a students strengths, interests and preferences. Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) Statements. Real-World Learning is Prioritized. __ a fill in the blank option. It also must address how the students disability is impacts functioning in the general education curriculum or in age appropriate activities. The addition of functional performancenonacademic skills necessary for independent living (e.g., behavior, social skills, communication, independent living skills, and mobility)reflects an awareness that students with disabilities require more than academic supports if they are to meet their individual goals for long-term success. Youll also be better able to see what services will support your child in his learning. Unfortunately, thats not the norm for most students yet. Focus 9. PLEP: present levels of educational performance, PLAAFP: present levels of academic achievement and functional performance. The class has been working on literal and inferential reading comprehension skills, vocabulary acquisition, reading strategies, spelling, and the mechanics of sentence and paragraph writing. But IEP teams can reframe the strengths discussion so it focuses on abilities: What does Elana do well?. Physical strengths - Being able to ride a bike is a great example of physical strengths at a young age. The goal is that the student will be able to correctly sound out 36 out of 40 of the words with these types of syllables. In his/her classroom behavior, he/she demonstrates responsibility by _______________. As you are writing your childs Present Level of Performance (PLOP) statement, have you considered your childs learning strengths? But here are some common elements and approaches. You aren't satisfied with anything less than 100% perfection. Each childs IEP should have specific goals related to each area of weakness. When Congress reauthorized IDEA in 2004, this was changed to the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). Her writing composite is at the 69th percentile. Updated August 2011 5 A y z i It goes deeper into the methods needed to collect baseline data and then determine whether the student has made progress. Student strength lists can help! Make sure to include a range of strengths, including knowledge-based skills, transferable skills, soft skills and personal traits to demonstrate your versatility. She found the job on her own and reports that she really does enjoy it but would like to work more hours. Follow instructions. By noting your childs strengths, it will help you determine if hes making progress. Sample IEP Goal:By the end of the school year, the student will use context clues and other strategies, such as consulting a dictionary, to help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words, with 80% accuracy in four out of five opportunities. Strengths tests and self-assessments can help deepen the discussion about strengths. Using measurement tests is common in IEP goals for reading. This student strength list is a tool for you to use when creating student success goals that the student can accomplish. Very high level of motivation in topics and activities that are of interest. 4. Well email you our most helpful stories and resources. Hiring. He follows the class discussion with para assistance to complete many of the assignments. The common goals and the strengths-based goals set the same expectation for student progress. You see this all the time with standardized tests that a. Be thorough. National Association of Special Education Teachers NASET | Completed Sample IEP 4 2-Social Development: Describe the quality of the student's relationships with peers and adults, feelings about self, social adjustment to school and community environment and behaviors that may impede Strengths-based ieps allow teachers and parents to identify student strengths and use them as a tool for success. IEP goals should reflect state academic standards, and they should be SMART and strengths-based. Strengths And Weaknesses Of Oral Reading. The information you include will be the stepping stone for the rest of the IEP. Page 4: Procedural Requirements: Guidelines & Common Errors, Page 7: Challenging, Ambitious, Measurable Annual Goals, Page 8: Individualized Services & Supports, Page 9: Monitoring & Reporting Student Progress, Page 10: Substantive Requirements: Common Errors, Page 11: References & Additional Resources, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, Information on the students current academic and/or functional needs, An explanation of how the disability affects the students involvement and progress in the general education curriculum, Baseline data for monitoring student progress, Bridge between the PLAAFP statement and an annual goal. A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. His teacher often tells him "the worst thing that can happen is you will be wrong and I will help you get the answer right". READING TEST RESULTS STRENGTHS NEEDS MEASURABLE GOALS. She has good attendance and punctuality. A strengths-based IEP looks at abilities as well as weaknesses. Otherwise, Sara is happy, and seems eager to please her teachers by doing her best work. With his quick work ability and high energy, Johnny has a difficult time sitting in a desk for a long period of time. Megan is a hard worker in the classroom. Concerns/Needs: Chris needs to improve reading skills in fluency and comprehension. Saras standardized reading composite test score is at the 73rd percentile. If the IEP fails to assess the childs present levels of academic achievement and functional performance the IEP does not comply with [IDEA]. For example, if Elana struggles in math, what does she do well in that subject? A well-rounded statement includes several areas of strength with up to three options from each. Open Mindedness 14. Yes, there is enough information to determine annual goals and/or services and supports. Here are a few examples of how a strengths-based IEP goal could differ from a SMART goal that isnt strengths-based: By May 15, Elana will know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers with 90% accuracy in four out of five tries. A strengths-based IEP uses student abilities to help work on weaknesses. Determination 15. Special education and related services are based on it, too. Comprehension is improving but it may also be a language problem since he does have Autism. He recognizes many body parts and can identify many common animals such as cow, pig, duck, etc. Something that can be collected frequently. Progress in the general education curriculum? Any of the areas listed can be strengths or weaknesses. ThePresent Level of Performance Examples below will help you write an great PLOP section in your childs IEP! It lists several types of syllables. As they do so, they should keep in mind that this statement should be written in concise, specific, and clear language that can be easily understood by all members of the IEP team. Jenny is helpful in class and eager to learn new concepts. TWO blankies!" Ouch. She has been employed there for four months approximately 15 hours per week. Weave strengths into IEP goals. The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written document that outlines a child's education. State and district documentation of this information varies. (There is much more- but this is good sampling of information..) Billys classroom performance has improved since he began preschool. Positive attitude. The health and medical related resources on this website are provided solely for informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis or for medical or professional advice. The samples have been developed with and informed by consultations with educators and stakeholders. Ability to accept and learn from mistakes. She does realize this would be difficult for her with her classes. Tamara McLean This toolbox describes additional resources related to the information presented on this page. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently. It can also give kids a sense of ownership when they get to help make decisions about their IEP. Exceptional memory for facts and figures. Tailoring the Strengths and Weaknesses Part of the IEP to your Aspie Child. The team not only identifies strengths, but leverages them to help address weaknesses. how the child's exceptionality manifests itself. Reading comprehension. However, it is not sufficient to report only on test scores and class titles. Strengths-based IEPs aim to start with a strength for each of the skill sets discussed in this section. Johnny is very active and energetic. The following are examples of strengths at work: Hard skills. 4. Write some Present Level of Performance Examples for your child too. Any of the areas listed can be strengths or weaknesses. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are a critical tool in driving achievement and well-being for students with special education needs. It is also common to pick a weakness that is minor or that signals a strength. The IEP will start with a bit of information about the child, the diagnosis, who is present at the meeting, etc. [ [ [ [ [ o o o o 8 $ $ o ) + + + + + + :! Thats the ability to read between the lines when reading. Ks decoding problems affect his performance in the general education setting because he cannot independently read items like written instructions, worksheets, or content area texts. He is usually off by one number with his answer. That same day, my younger son came up to me with two baby blankets, one in each hand, and said, "Look, mommy! For more detailed information on present levels, see Legal Framework. She/He enjoys __________ and __________ . Procrastination. IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use those abilities. Goals should also be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound). Wanting to control too many aspects of a situation. Spelling test scores are a strength. This deficiency goes to the heart of the IEP; the childs level of academic achievement and functional performance is the foundation on which the IEP must be built. This weakness causes individuals to get only "parts" of information that they read or hear, but not the whole. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Open to Criticism 13. Copyright 2014-2023 Understood For All Inc. hands-on activity to help identify your childs strengths, questions about having your child attend IEP meetings, Working With Schools online community group. Open to learning new things and new experiences. What This Means:This sample IEP goal focuses on the ability to find the main idea of a text. How does the students disability affect her: Are the data being reviewed to determine whether the student is making progress: Based on observable (e.g., cursing or swearing) rather than subjective (e.g., being disrespectful) behaviors. My positive attitude is definitely one of my strengths. Describes the students needs in an academic and/or functional skill area, States the impact of the students disability on her involvement in the general education curriculum, Documents the students current levels of performance, which will serve as, Informs the annual goals and the appropriate special education services and supports required to meet those goals. You CAN help your child overcome dyslexia with: Get Your Questions About Homeschooling Your Learning Abled Kid Answered! Because differences are our greatest strength. In addition to school-based concerns, Ks parents worry about the effects of his learning disability outside of school. Kindness 6. Make sure that all of the students educational needs identified in the evaluation stage are included in the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance section of the IEP. Furthermore, for a more comprehensive assessment the manual also provides details about subtests from other batteries that can be combined with the WRMT-T/NU battery if additional information is . It looks at what students can do, what the team wants them to do next, and how strengths might be used to set goals to help address a particular need. (i) the strengths of the child; (ii) the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child; (iii) the results of the initial evaluation or most recent evaluation of the child; and (iv) the academic, developmental, and functional needs of the child. The Individualized Educational Plan IEP. Her standardized scores for math computation are at the 12th percentile. High School: Transition Employment- Description of Child: Linda has been working for Ajax Cleaning Service. ECSE: For students Birth to three the IEP must address Physical/Motor Development; Basic Senses including Hearing and Vision; Self-Help Skills; Academic Performance/Cognitive Development/ Intellectual Functioning; Social/Emotional/ Behavioral Development; Communication and Current Health and Medical Status. In the school MAP test in 7th grade, Steven improved the most in his comprehension of information (improved by 32 points). Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Hannah is 9.5 and she a fourth grade student at Martin Elementary. This is when the team discusses a students strengths, interests and preferences. We believe that adopting strength-based IEP writing practices is vital to reconstructing students with disabilities as capable contributors to their inclusive classrooms. Steven is hard working and participates in class. Creative thinking abilities. Can his strengths enable better learning by using alternative teaching methods? IEP goals are built around what the student can do and how the team can use those abilities. Julie Rawe is the special projects editor at Understood. She does better when she is provided a number-line or calculator. Your child should have an IEP goal associated with each type of reading struggle. This list of student strengths and weaknesses for IEP contains a wide variety of examples. What This Means:This sample IEP goal targets making inferences. While he should continue to work on his sentences writing, Steven will need to vary the types of sentences he writes and continue to work on the format for a basic paragraph. When writing, David frequently misspells words and uses incorrect punctuation [weakness]. Does she prefer to work in groups? Visual-spatial strengths - Jigsaw puzzles, map reading skills, and sensitivity to the world around them are examples of visual-spatial skills. If I'm on a project, I'm going to make sure to stick with it to the bitter, bloody end." Although this might sound like a strength, it's actually a weakness in disguise! Organization skills. This information is important to Builds your self-awareness Self-awareness is crucial in a variety of personal and interpersonal settings. Her/His __________ skills are a strength, as are her/his __________ skills. She has realistic work goals and is able to describe what it would take to live on her own. My writing and reading strength is my ability to get a lot of ideas. Linda has passed her MBST requirements. If Johnny sits for a long time, then he has difficulty with his focus on a book or worksheet. Students can also help the team think about how to use these strengths to develop strategies for success. Comprehension: . Planning skills. His positive work habits show that he follows rules and routines, can ignore distractions, and is a self starter in classroom activities. He recognizes the circle and star shape most consistently. One of the fundamental components of an IEP, a present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP) statement summarizes the students current levels of functioning. Physical abilities (fatigue, sensory issues, etc.). Adaptability. Strengths vary widely from student to student. Patience. But theyre going to reach out to the reading teacher as well and get information for how that plays out in the general education classroom. It is merely a representation or guideline to get you thinking on the right track. needs speech services) Forgetting to discuss progress on IEP goals Having vague statements that do not describe the child Remember- a teacher who has not met the student should be able to plan for the child after reading the IEP if the PLAAFP and Needs are well written! That information is outdated by the time a students IEP is ready for an annual review, so school personnel will need to collect data prior to the IEP meeting. In the office, a person undergoes many new processes, work, and experiences, so, learning agility is a crucial strength for any professional to perform consistently. Write a statement documenting the ways your childs strengths can help him learn and overcome his weaknesses. He is reluctant to show that he needs to use them, his teacher is working on letting him know that it is ok to use other sources, to help him solve problems. The class is currently working on place value and will be moving into, adding money and making change, telling time, reading and creating simple graphs and some simple measurement to the 1/2 inch. This assessment is sometimes abbreviated as PLP or called present level of academic and functional performance (PLAAFP). Reframe the way the IEP team talks about strengths. Doesn't enjoy . Please find below samples to support educators when developing IEPs. What This Means:This sample IEP goal focuses on the ability to decode longer words. This sample IEP goal measures comprehension with a variety of research-based reading tests, like the DRA, QRI-5, and Star. The main areas of concern (e.g., academic, functional) and how do these concerns relate to district or state standards and benchmarks and the students postsecondary interests? He is not very sure of himself when solving problems on the board. There are many different kinds of student success goals, but all student success goals must meet these basic criteria: student strengths, observable and measurable student behaviors/actions, and student success criteria. He is making progress in his goal to read more fluently and to use more expression in reading. As always, if you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to reach out. Know how to present these employee strengths and weaknesses in the best way when answering interview questions. After working with him, it was found that he was including the starting number to be subtracted as he was counting down to get the answer. 4) Write a paragraph containing the information gathered in the prior steps. He is beginning to use signs for the colors when he sees them. K is currently reading 54 words correct per minute (wpm) on a 2nd-grade reading probe, which is slightly higher than the 2nd-grade fall benchmark of 50 wpm. Her math reasoning scores are at the 18th percentile. In his classroom behavior, he demonstrates responsibility by coming prepared to class with materials ready to learn.