How to Read Your Child’s IEP: A Section-by-Section Guide

IEPs are long and full of acronyms. But every IEP has the same core sections — once you know what each one means, you can spot what’s strong and what’s missing.

Present Levels (PLAAFP)

Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance describe where your child is right now — academically, socially, behaviorally. This is the foundation: every goal and service should connect back to a need described here. If a need isn’t documented in present levels, it’s hard to get services for it.

Annual Goals

Goals should be SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. A good goal says what the child will do, under what conditions, to what level, and how it’s measured (“will read 90 words per minute with 95% accuracy on 3 consecutive probes”). Vague goals (“will improve reading”) are a red flag.

Services and Minutes

This section lists special education and related services (speech, OT, counseling), how many minutes per week, how often, and where. Check that the minutes match your child’s needs and that the setting (general ed vs pull-out) is appropriate.

Accommodations and Modifications

Accommodations change how your child learns or is tested (extended time, preferential seating, text-to-speech). Modifications change what they’re expected to learn. Make sure these are specific and actually used in the classroom and on tests.

Other key sections

• LRE (Least Restrictive Environment): how much time your child spends with non-disabled peers — and the justification.
• Progress reporting: how and how often you’ll be told about goal progress.
• Transition plan (age 14–16+): goals for life after high school.
• Prior written notice & consent: what the team proposed and what you agreed to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important part of the IEP?

Present levels (PLAAFP) and the annual goals — they drive everything. Services and accommodations should all connect to documented needs and measurable goals.

What is a SMART IEP goal?

A goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — it states what the child will do, to what level, and how it’s measured.

What’s the difference between accommodations and modifications?

Accommodations change how a child learns or is tested; modifications change what they’re expected to learn or master.

How can I quickly check if my child’s IEP is strong?

Upload it to My IEP Hero — the AI flags weak goals, missing services, and compliance issues in plain English in under a minute.