Assessment for program planning is ongoing.  It focuses on the child’s current skill levels of developmental skills, behavior, and knowledge and helps to determine the skills and behaviors necessary for a child to function in the setting where they spend time.

There is an important link between assessment and curriculum when determining a plan to meet the needs of a child and the concerns of their families.  Assessment for program planning purposes should focus on the whole child in the context of their natural environment.

Assessment information collected for program planning purposes is used to develop an IFSP or IEP.