Quick answer: A summary of performance (SOP) is a document the school must give a student with an IEP who leaves high school by graduating with a regular diploma or aging out of special education. Required by IDEA at 34 CFR 300.305(e)(3), the summary of performance describes the student’s academic achievement and functional performance and gives recommendations to help them meet their postsecondary goals. A strong summary of performance includes student input and becomes a key document for college disability offices, vocational rehabilitation and employers.
In this guide
On graduation day, the IEP ends. What remains is the summary of performance, the bridge document that tells the next setting who this young adult is, what works for them and what they need. Too often it is a rushed form. It does not have to be.
What the Summary of Performance Includes
The five parts of a strong SOP
These parts follow the model template promoted by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, based on the National Transition Documentation Summit (LDA of America).
Key point: The summary of performance is required by IDEA when a student exits with a regular diploma or ages out. It is not optional paperwork.
When the Summary of Performance Is Written and by Whom
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who must receive one? | Students exiting with a regular diploma or aging out of eligibility |
| When? | During the final year of high school |
| Who writes it? | The IEP team, usually led by the case manager, with student input |
| Is an evaluation required to exit? | No. IDEA does not require a reevaluation before graduation or aging out, which is why the SOP matters |
Because no exit evaluation is required, the SOP often becomes the most recent official summary a college or agency receives. Ask for updated testing in the last years if college accommodations are planned.
Weak vs Strong Summary of Performance Examples
| Section | Weak | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | “Reads below grade level.” | “Reads 10th grade text with text-to-speech at 90% comprehension; without it, about 70%.” |
| Executive function | “Has trouble with organization.” | “Completes multi-step projects when given a written checklist and weekly check-ins.” |
| Recommendations | “Continue accommodations.” | “Extended time (1.5x), digital textbooks, reduced-distraction testing, early syllabus access.” |
| Student input | Left blank | “I learn best when I can listen and see diagrams. I want to study graphic design.” |
Who Uses the Summary of Performance
- College disability services offices, as part of documentation.
- Vocational rehabilitation counselors, for eligibility and planning.
- Social Security, during SSI at 18 reviews.
- Employers, if the young adult chooses to disclose and request workplace accommodations.
- The young adult, as a self-advocacy tool.
Student input example
“My name is Elena. I have ADHD and anxiety. I do my best work with a planner, reminders on my phone and a quiet place for tests. Speaking in front of big groups is hard, but I do well in small groups. After school I want to become a veterinary technician.”
Real-Life Example
Case story
Marcus, 18, has a specific learning disability in math. His first SOP draft said only “continue accommodations.” His mother asked the team to add specific data from his transition assessment, a list of the exact accommodations he used, and a paragraph written by Marcus. The community college accepted his revised SOP with his last evaluation, and he received a calculator and extended time from his first week.
Teacher’s tip: Start the summary of performance in the fall of senior year, not in May. Let the student draft the input section and practice explaining it, building real self-advocacy skills.
Summary of Performance FAQ
What is a summary of performance?
An exit document required by IDEA describing a student’s achievement, functional performance and recommendations for postsecondary goals.
Who gets a summary of performance?
Students with IEPs who graduate with a regular diploma or age out of special education.
Is the SOP enough for college accommodations?
It often helps a lot, but colleges may also ask for evaluation reports.
Can students write part of the SOP?
Yes. Student input is a recommended section and builds self-advocacy.
Is there a standard SOP form?
States and districts use their own forms; many are based on a national model template.
In short: The summary of performance is the student’s passport out of high school. Make it specific, data-based and in the student’s voice. This article closes our Transition to Adulthood series.
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Sources
- Learning Disabilities Association of America. Summary of Performance
- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. Summary of Performance Fact Sheet
- Maine Department of Education (2025). Summary of Performance Quick Reference
- U.S. Department of Education. Transition guide for high school educators
This article is educational and does not replace professional advice.
