IEP Alignment in Action: A Case Study Walkthrough

We’ve spent all month talking about what it means to write strong, meaningful, and connected IEPs, and today, we’re putting it all together.

In this final episode of the October series, I’m walking you through a real-time case study of a fictional student named Eric, a 5th grader with a Specific Learning Disability in reading and written expression. From the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) all the way to the services and accommodations, I’ll show you exactly what it looks like to build an IEP that’s aligned, defensible, and most importantly—student-centered.

Too often, I see teachers going through the motions: writing each part of the IEP separately, just to check a box. But if your IEP was ever pulled for an audit or legal review, could you confidently defend that every section is clearly connected back to student needs and team input?

In this episode, we’ll cover:
✅ What a well-written PLAAFP section should include
✅ How to pull out student strengths, clearly identify needs, and write an impact statement that matters using AI
✅ How to ensure your goals are tied directly to those needs and how to explain your “why” behind each one
✅ Why your services and accommodations need to flow logically from your goals
✅ The difference between an IEP that is compliant vs. one that is effective

📘 RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT:
 To help you improve your PLAAFP statements, I’ve included my favorite tool:
 👉 Say This, Not That: PLAAFP Statements for IEPs

This resource features 179 well-written statements across 20 common areas. It’s perfect for improving the professionalism of your IEPs and helping parents, paras, and administrators understand the student more clearly.

🎧 So whether you're new to the field or a seasoned pro who just needs to see the connections in action—this episode is your blueprint.

Let’s dig into Eric’s story and see what true IEP alignment looks like.

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