Benchmark Case Study: PLaAFP And Annual Goals: The IEP Is An ✓ Solved
Benchmark Case Study Plaafp And Annual Goalsthe Iep Is An Essential
Develop an individualized education program (IEP) for a student based on the provided case study, including a Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), post-secondary transition goals with measurable objectives, and a rationale supporting your decisions. The plan should address the student's strengths, needs, interests, and background, and include transition plans for education/training, employment, and independent living. Justify your choices with scholarly resources and the CEC Code of Ethics, discussing legal, ethical, and confidentiality considerations. Reflect on how this knowledge will influence your future professional practice.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The development of an effective and comprehensive Individualized Education Program (IEP) is paramount for ensuring positive educational and transitional outcomes for students with exceptionalities. Based on the case of Alicia, a 16-year-old student diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Dyscalculia, the IEP must be tailored to her unique strengths, challenges, and post-secondary aspirations. This paper articulates the process of forming the PLAAFP statement, setting measurable post-secondary goals, and providing a reflective rationale, supported by scholarly literature and ethical standards.
Part 1: Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)
Alicia demonstrates average decoding and comprehension skills in reading, showing a particular strength in analyzing multiple-choice and short-answer questions, though she faces challenges in organizing ideas for writing and summarization. Her writing skills include adequate sentence formation but require support in planning, editing, and grammar, notably with punctuation and subject-verb agreement. Math difficulties lie predominantly in computation, problem-solving, and real-world applications, with a reliance on calculators and difficulty in converting fractions to decimals. Her psycho-educational assessment via Woodcock-Johnson III revealed scores below age-equivalent standards in math and written language, confirming her need for targeted interventions.
Alicia’s behavior indicates motivational and emotional issues, including reluctance to wake and attend school, frequent absenteeism, and reports of school-related anxiety, possibly exacerbated by her dislike of large group settings. Her executive functioning deficits affect her organization, responsibility, and independence. Her parents express concern about her lack of independence, especially regarding medication management and daily responsibilities, reflecting an urgent need to incorporate life skills development into her goals.
Part 2: Post-Secondary Transition
Considering Alicia’s interests in dance and her expressed goal to pursue dance post-high school, her transition plan must support her career aspiration while developing her independence and life skills. Her preferences include a small-group learning environment and kinesthetic activities that alleviate anxiety.
Based on her strengths and needs, the following transition goals are proposed:
- Education/Training Goal: Alicia will enroll in a post-secondary dance program, demonstrating understanding of audition requirements and successfully completing application procedures. Transition activities include visiting college campuses, meeting with dance department advisors, and developing a portfolio, with supports such as counselor coordination and mentorship.
- Employment Goal: Alicia will secure part-time employment in a dance studio or related setting, demonstrating responsibility and employability skills. Transition activities include resume building, interview preparation, and communication skill workshops, with the involvement of vocational specialists and her family.
- Independent Living Goal: Alicia will develop self-management skills, including medication independence and daily organization. Activities involve explicitly teaching alarm setting, medication routines, budgeting, and self-advocacy skills, supported by school counselors, occupational therapists, and family coaching. Expected outcomes include her independently taking medication at least 80% of the time and managing personal belongings and schedules with minimal prompting by the end of the school year.
Part 3: Rationale and Reflection
The rationale for the chosen PLAAFP and transition goals aligns with her demonstrated academic strengths, identified weaknesses, and expressed interests, supported by research indicating that personalized transition planning enhances post-secondary success (Test et al., 2009). The goals foster her independence in crucial life areas and build relevant skills, consistent with the standards outlined by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC, 2015). Ethical considerations, including confidentiality, are paramount; thus, all information within her IEP complies with legal statutes like FERPA, ensuring privacy and appropriate sharing among team members.
Applying ethical and legal standards, I will safeguard Alicia’s confidential information by limiting access and securing records, as stipulated by federal and state laws. My understanding of ethical codes, such as the CEC Code of Ethics, guides me to advocate for her autonomy while respecting her dignity and preferences (CEC, 2015). Moving forward, the foundational knowledge gained from this case reinforces the importance of culturally responsive, collaborative planning and ongoing assessment in supporting students’ transition to adulthood. It emphasizes that effective IEPs are dynamic tools that should evolve with the student’s growth, interests, and changing needs, ultimately fostering their independence and lifelong success.
References
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). (2015). CEC Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.cec.sped.org
- Test, D. W., et al. (2009). Transition Planning for Secondary Students with Disabilities. Austin, TX: PRO-ED.
- Morningstar, M. E., et al. (2017). Transition Education for Students with Disabilities: How to Plan Transition to College and Career. SAGE Publications.
- Schloss, P., & Sigafoos, J. (2017). The importance of self-determination in transition planning. Exceptional Children, 83(1), 55–69.
- Kohler, P. D. (2016). Transition by Design: A Guide for Crafting Student-Centered Transition Plans. Brookes Publishing.
- Shogren, K. A., et al. (2014). Developing self-determination skills for youth with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 58(3), 122–132.
- Wagner, M., et al. (2014). The State of Transition Services for Youth with Disabilities. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.
- CADRE. (2018). Effective Practice Guidelines: Transition Planning. https://www.cadreworks.org
- Oswald, D. P., et al. (2018). Planning for Post-School Outcomes. Teaching Exceptional Children, 50(2), 109–118.
- Burke, J. (2013). Transition planning and the role of student voice: Supporting self-determination and independence. Exceptional Children, 80(4), 433–452.