Manifestation Determination
Manifestation Determination is a process to determine whether or not a student's problem behavior is a result of the child's disability. A Manifestation Determination review is completed as part of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) team meeting, and the team must convene no later than 10 school days of the violation of student conduct.
The Manifestation Determination team consists of the LEA, child's parents, and relevant members of the child's IEP team. During the review, information such as the child's files, teacher observations, and parent observations are discussed. Most importantly, the team is trying to determine whether there is a connection between the problem behavior and the child's disability. If, after careful and specific review, the behavior is a result (manifestation) of the child's disability, the child is not punished and is allowed to reenter the classroom. If a Functional Behavior Assessment has not been created or the student does not have a Behavioral Intervention Plan, the team must decide if these interventions would be appropriate. If the student's behavior is not a manifestation of the child's disability, the disciplinary approach given to any other child must be exercised. If the team decides the behavior occured because the school did not implement the IEP, the school needs to take the necessary steps to ensure the child's IEP is followed.
For more information, please visit:
http://nichcy.org/schoolage/placement/disc-details/manifestation
http://specialed.spps.org/Manifestation_Determination2.html