What Are Academic Strengths? Academic Strengths List & Examples Something that can be collected frequently. When Congress reauthorized IDEA in 2004, this was changed to the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAAFP). But more and more schools are shifting the focus from deficits to a strengths-based approach. That way, you can write the best PLOP statement possible. Elementary School: Academic Functioning Strengths/Current Status: Chris scored in the below average range in reading when re-evaluated in October. Examples of Student Strengths 1. The 4th-grade curriculum involves many independent reading activities. (general) a. Current formal evaluation (WISC III, Woodcock-Johnson R, other) Informal evaluation (teacher or parent observation, checklists, student work, other) Classroom performance in the areas of concern that will be the basis for the special education goals and objectives Grades History of testing if appropriate. Goals should also be SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, and time-bound). Communication skills. Your child should have an IEP goal associated with each type of reading struggle. 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. Open to Criticism 13. Current testing/evaluation results in general terms such as below average/average/above average. Active Listening. 30 Best Students Strengths And Weaknesses List & Examples As you are writing your childs Present Level of Performance (PLOP) statement, have you considered your childs learning strengths? 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. Your child should have an IEP goal associated with each type of reading struggle. (Note that this is a hypothetical case and the numbers presented may not be close to what they should be- this is just an example!) A primary cause of language comprehension problems is difficulty creating mental images for language. Concerns/Needs: Billy needs to continue to develop pre-academic skills in the areas of number concepts and shape recognition to a more consistent level. Strengths-based IEPs aim to start with a strength for each of the skill sets discussed in this section. She consistently shows good work habits but does not do well in remembering assignments and pacing herself in extended assignments. The academic strength in this example is the ability to do math; the academic weakness is the inability to do history. Project Officer, Sarah Allen. Although Steven takes a little longer to process things than his peers, he always works hard and tries his best in class. And explore 10 ways to be an effective advocate for your child at school. Older students are more likely to participate in or lead more parts of the IEP meeting. Hannah is 9.5 and she a fourth grade student at Martin Elementary. 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. Tip - The list below is by no means all-inclusive. Using Your Autistic Child's IEP to Transition to Adulthood The contents of this Website do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. 32 Examples of Academic Weaknesses - Simplicable He sometimes gets frustrated when writing and hurries through written work [what hinders learning]. Linda needs to learn the aspects of budgeting and managing a checkbook. You can keep your response relatively brief and focused on one or two strengths and/or weaknesses, depending on how the question was phrased. Create Strengths-based IEPs Special Ed | Frontline Education 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? List of Strengths. Discipline 5. Procrastination. Several examples of IEP goals that include specific strategies and Universal Design follow: "Trevor will edit his writing for a project/topic of choice" using text-to-speech, spell check, and an editing checklist." "Using audio books, Natalie will answer inferential questions about novels that she selects from a pre-approved reading . 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. The teacher can use this form to assess what the child's strengths and deficits are during social behaviors during the school day. Academic strengths are traits and skills that serve students as a strong foundation to excel academically. When the family eats out, K prefers one restaurant whose menu he has memorized and protests if a new restaurant is selected due to anxiety about reading an unfamiliar menu. Then, find outwhat actions you can take if theIEP doesnt seem to be working. 1. Document your childs current level of academic achievement and capabilities in other areas. Builds your self-awareness Self-awareness is crucial in a variety of personal and interpersonal settings. Chooses 3-4 student strengths from the student strength list, Writes a narrative about each student strength picked, Includes behavior(s) that student demonstrates when using student strength, Student's family member(s) or an other person involved in student's life can endorse student strengths to strengthen them, Student identifies his own student strengths, if appropriate to student's abilities, Shares student empowerment strategies with other professionals who work with the student, Student's team members choose student strengths to use in student success goals, If student is working on student transition goals, student's team may want to include student strengths with industry or university partnerships. Engaging and Exciting. However, a strength that I believe I have is being able to be well organised. This weakness often undermines the reading and thinking process. Johnny also loves completing hands-on projects in the classroom and at home. Therefore, writing out your own Present Level of Performance Examples for your child will help you find the best ways to provide your child with a positive educational experience! Recognizing your weaknesses is the first step towards turning them into strengths. K has strong expressive and receptive language skills and a large vocabulary. 3) Provide objective data from your childs evaluation results. Sam will learn the class vocabulary words with 90% accuracy in three out of four weekly opportunities. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently. You don't have to devote half the interview to these answers. A well-rounded statement includes several areas of strength with up to three options from each. Concerns/Needs: Linda is a good worker, yet still needs reminders to keep her on task. Understanding Present Level of Performance (PLOP) - Verywell Family Steven has neatly written up to 10 simple sentences each week with few mistakes. This student strength list can also be used during the development of student transition goals. Student-led IEPs also underscore the importance of self-awareness. He correctly capitalizes and uses appropriate ending punctuation. Academic Weaknesses. Academic Standard:Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. The table below contains portions of one students PLAAFP statement that relate to his reading skills and shows how each element is addressed. Imagine an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that focuses as much on your childs strengths as it does on your childs weaknesses. Read grade-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. Another strategy for admissions is to pick a weakness that many students struggle with and explain that you are working on it. ThePresent Level of Performance Examples below will help you write an great PLOP section in your childs IEP! 15 Strengths & Qualities of a Teacher & Examples of Weaknesses - HIGH5 TEST When you have a structure to help you, developing a student strength statement and weaknesses statement is not difficult. And, focusing on and cultivating your child's strengths will help build self-esteem. Earlier in my career, this led to burnout and negative self-talk. Find out if your childs school already has access to a strengths finder. She does realize this would be difficult for her with her classes. This guide walks teachers through the process of writing clear and positive student strengths narratives. But IEP teams can reframe the strengths discussion so it focuses on abilities: What does Elana do well?. Tailoring the Strengths and Weaknesses Part of the IEP to your Aspie Child. The assessment can be done by such methods as tests, interviews, or observations. That way, you can write the best PLOP statement possible. Concerns/Needs: Chris needs to improve reading skills in fluency and comprehension. 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. 4) Write a paragraph containing the information gathered in the prior steps. Looking to help your students shine through strengths-based ieps? Reframe the way the IEP team talks about strengths. We believe that adopting strength-based IEP writing practices is vital to reconstructing students with disabilities as capable contributors to their inclusive classrooms. Logical reasoning. Sample IEP Goal:By the end of the third quarter, given a grade-level text, the student will support inferences with at least three pieces of text-based evidence with 80% accuracy on two out of three assignments or assessments. He recognizes the circle and star shape most consistently. How to Write an IEP | IEP Writing Guide by TeachTastic Publishing Note: These are simple yes or no questions. Follow instructions. Here are 10 examples of the best weaknesses to mention in a job interview: 1. Strengths are covered at the beginning of the meeting, and the rest of the time is focused on deficits. What Is Contained In a Preschool IEP Center for . Physical abilities (fatigue, sensory issues, etc.). Elana will use her skills with a times table to help transition by May 15 to knowing from memory all products of two one-digit numbers with 90% accuracy in four out of five tries. Physical abilities (fatigue, sensory issues, etc.). 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. Storytelling. Logical reasoning. J Billy is able to sort by object and color (field of 4). Sample IEP Goal:By the end of the IEP period, when given a grade-level nonfiction passage, the student will identify the main idea and provide at least three details related to the main idea with 90% accuracy in three out of four trials. Academic Strengths & Weaknesses: Q&A and 25 Examples - HIGH5 TEST Visual communication. Here are a few examples of common career weaknesses. Comprehension is improving but it may also be a language problem since he does have Autism. Create Your Child's Educational Success Story! Also mention any ability your child has, because those skills can be the keys for teaching your child. Academic Standard:Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. Four times out of five, the child must correctly determine the meaning of at least 80 percent of the words or phrases. Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) Statements. [ [ [ [ [ o o o o 8 $ $ o ) + + + + + + :! Chris scored in the average range for math on re-eval done in October. The paragraphs in the IEPs present level of performance are likely to be the first things new teachers read about your child. Very high level of motivation in topics and activities that are of interest. Answer (1 of 8): A2A. The first lists additional considerations for infants and toddlers, behavior, severe disabilities, and secondary transition-related issues. Strengths And Weaknesses Of Oral Reading - 1455 Words | Bartleby How to Find your Child's Strengths and Weaknesses The samples have been developed with and informed by consultations with educators and stakeholders. He usually remembers to turn in his Social Studies weekly assignments. To do this, IEP teams often need to gather more information. Your child has reading issues and just qualified for an IEP. It helps teachers get a better sense of how to help your child move forward. Both of these questions lead to academic and behavioral success in the classroom. Present Level of Performance Examples : IEP Writing Tips 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". Its specific about how progress will be measured. She has not had goals in this area during the past year. He continues to need to increase his ability to stay on task despite distractions. Starting with character strengths begins to paint a picture of how the student positively impacts the learning environment. (oi, er, ow, ar, ew). Attention strengths or deficits. What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses? (+ Example Answers) Exceptional Education Teacher, /wp-content/uploads/module_media/iep01_media/audio/iep01_p06_mclean.mp3. This IRIS Case Study describes how to clearly define a students behavior so that when they occur they can be reliably identified, measured, or counted. Example weakness 1: self-critical "I can be too critical of myself. When working in the classroom, he will accept help when offered if it is done quietly. Fear of Failure 2. : PRESENT LEVEL OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS (Description of Child Section of IEP) Strengths/Current Status section: This section describes how the student is presently performing in the classroom and is written in objective, measurable terms. Quantifiable by a defined standard, particularly so that any amount of change can subsequently be identified. Ks learning disability negatively affects his decoding skills, which are at a low 2nd-grade level. It may also address Adaptive Development; Community Access/ Use or Participation; and Legal Representation. Present Level of Performance Examples: Present Level of Performance Examples #1 Is a students' awareness also considered a strength? Strengths-based IEPs arent widely used yet. 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. Sam has a strong character, is eager to learn, and is curious about a new subject. This sample IEP goal measures comprehension with a variety of research-based reading tests, like the DRA, QRI-5, and Star. Tips for Parents | How to Recognize Comprehension Weakness Strengths & Weaknesses of a Student - The Classroom Student strengths such as "helps partner with school work," "remembers to raise hand in class," and "tries to stay on task" are student strengths that can be observed and measured. 3) Strengths or weaknesses observed but not listed can be written in as comments/notes. 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. Concerns/Needs section: Educational needs are identified as a result of both formal and informal evaluation. Any of the areas listed can be strengths or weaknesses. Doing so will help keep everyone honest about progress. If you're looking for more ideas on student success goals, be sure to check out our IEP goal bank. Incorporating your childs strengths into SMART goals can make the goals even stronger. Focus 9. Both items combined will be at the forefront of any student's strength profile. Academic Standard:Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. The skills a good student brings to the work table usually include creativity, organization and problem-solving. The student's team might include student weaknesses as a part of the student's iep, but they should not be included in the student strength list. __ (4) multiple-choice options. Aidan will use his preference for hands-on learning and his skills with technology to dictate his notes during science lab and complete his science lab reports on time and with 85% accuracy in three out of four consecutive assignments. He seems to be enjoying the classes and is willing to do an activity when asked by the teacher. This information is important to He participates in small and large groups, with occasional reinforcer/motivators such as M&Ms, Skittles, affection, tickles, and praise. 1. Her/His __________ skills are a strength, as are her/his __________ skills. The student needs to state what the text literally says plus what it might really mean. Students can also help the team think about how to use these strengths to develop strategies for success. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Her math reasoning scores are at the 18th percentile. She is very polite and overall has a very positive attitude when it comes to school. However, in a recent writing sample he had difficulty writing complete sentences and was unable to spell a number of sight words. Is there enough information in the PLAAFP to determine what special education, related services, accommodations, and program modifications are needed? For example, a 4th-grade student with a percentile rank of 27 has received a score that is higher than 27% of 4th-grade students nationwide; this students score can also be referred to as being at the 27th percentile.. The student might use a dictionary or look at other words in the sentence (context clues). Both of the Kansas SDE documents above explain each of the elements within a high-quality PLAAFP statement. 4. S Susanna B Teaching Strategies Teaching Tools Teacher Resources Mindset Activities Teaching Art Social Emotional Learning Language assessment is an instrument for language teachers to identify the students' strengths and weaknesses in language learning, to place the student into a program and to measure the use of English in four basic skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Collaboration 12. The second introduces the connection between the PLAAFP statements and the annual goals, with examples. Let's discuss a few of the most common weaknesses found in students that hinder their academic growth. Here is a few ideas for how to write a given statement for a student's math or reading IEP goal. These list items are grouped into six different categories: Attitude, Academic Skills, Executive Function Skills, Social Skills, Motor Skills, and Sensory Processing Skills. Given fourth-grade level (4.0) reading material, Nura will write three details from the passage in her own words with 85% accuracy on three out of four consecutive assignments. She has been employed there for four months approximately 15 hours per week. Strengths Based IEPs: What to Know | Understood There should be a direct relationship between the present levels of performance and the other components of the IEP. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. (informal) (singular) In an interview, you may be asked, "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"En una entrevista, quizs te pregunten, "Cules son tus puntos fuertes y dbiles?" b. With his quick work ability and high energy, Johnny has a difficult time sitting in a desk for a long period of time. If there are student strengths examples that you would like to include for your student, make sure you add them on your own. . An additional IEP goal, focusing on strengths, might be built around advancing vocabulary via Learning Ally audiobooks, or a goal working on more advanced technology skills. April 29th, 2018 - Strengths and weaknesses examples for iep Jun 25 2016 Summarize at the meeting by listing strengths then weaknesses and the next steps That is the Well email you our most helpful stories and resources. Her visual memory and visual processing scores are above average, so she learns easily through pictures and images. He is usually off by one number with his answer. If he can get up and move around, then he is able to complete his work. He keeps his work binders neat and organized. Helping students identify and leverage their strengths, interests and preferences can lead to more self-awareness and self-advocacy. Even if the student strengths seem silly or out of place, they may be meaningful for some students. Steven currently participates in a Resource Independent Living Math class. In the school setting, this usually means the child's IEP goals would be written only to focus on improving the weak skills such as spelling or written expression. Social skills. Her writing composite is at the 69th percentile. Start a conversation about strengths-based IEPs in our Working With Schools online community group. For children in EIP or ECSE programs the PLAAFP must address how their disability impacts their participation in age appropriate activities. IEP QuickTips: Reframing Weaknesses as Strengths and Needs Strengths and Skills in Students with Autism Grab your notebook, look at your childs strengths, and consider her struggles. What makes student strengths effective is their ability to be targeted for goal setting. Being detail-oriented is typically a good thing, but if you're someone who tends to spend too much time on the specifics of a project, it could also be considered a weakness. And you can advocate for more teacher training in strengths-based IEPs at your childs school or in your local district. The key word is individual. He follows the class discussion with para assistance to complete many of the assignments. Progress in the general education curriculum? A child's strengths, interests and talents can build the foundation for a productive and joyful life. All companies search for someone who owns a drive. Child strengths and weaknesses examples . Coding 11. If you own a seasonal business: For example, if you own a fruit stand, you might benefit from employing a student or two. Problem-solving skills. How to Write IEP Student Strengths | TeachTastic You can also learn more about how to develop SMART IEP goals, and then help steer the IEP team to include strengths in at least a few of your childs goals. It is also common to pick a weakness that is minor or that signals a strength. When student strengths are utilized, students will become more active and enthusiastic participants in their educations. We have a variety of different types of student success goals that you can use to help your students shine. Updated August 2011 5 A y z i