?What is a "Manifestation Determination"
and How is it Conducted?
(Required by IDEA97 - Pertains to educational law in the United States)



-If school personnel wish to impose a change of placement or suspensions amounting to more than 10 days (a youngster with a disability cannot be "expelled"), a "manifestation determination" must be conducted not later than 10 days after disciplinary action.

-It is a process conducted by the IEP team (along with other necessary qualified personnel) to investigate whether there is a relationship between the student's action(s) of concern and his/her disability.  The team must decide whether the student's action(s) were a reflection of his/her disability or perhaps the result of it.

-If there is no relationship, the student may be disciplined (including suspension & "expulsion"...services must still be provided) in the same manner as non-disabled students.  However:
     -the school district must provide FAPE (free and appropriate publicly funded education)
      -if parents disagree, an expedited due process hearing must be
          arranged (student remains in IAES during hearing) unless:
              - the parents and school agree on another setting
              -the 45 days in an IAES (interim alternative educational setting) expire
 
 
 

?How would our IEP team arrive at it's MD decision?

1. Collect and consider relevant information regarding the incident.
         -interview involved parties
         -interview witnesses
         -gather other evidence (e.g., items, videotapes, police reports, etc.)

2. Review relevant information already gathered:
         -evaluation/observation results
         -data gathered by teachers/evaluators
         -other information in student's folder
 
 
 

The IEP team must then answer four questions: 1.2.3.4.
 1. Were the services, goals, strategies, and placements identified in the IEP appropriate?

2. If so, were the components/requirements of the IEP provided and implemented as
        written?

 3. Did the disability impair the student's ability to comprehend the impact and
        consequences of his/her behavior?

or

4. Did the student's disability impair his/her ability to control his/her behavior in the
        situation in question?
 

ANALYSIS OF THE FOUR QUESTIONS

 If the answer to question(s) 1 and/or 2 are "no", the blame falls on the school.  They may,
        however, designate a more restrictive placement for the student.

If the answers to questions 1 & 2 are "yes" and the answers to questions 3 & 4 are "no",
    there is NO manifestation of the disability (the behavior was not a result of the disability).
     The student is subject to the same discipline as used for non-disabled students.  Those
      who receive services under section 504 (of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) or ADA
      (Americans with Disabilities Act), but NOT IDEA 97, may be expelled
      and denied special education services.

What if a youngster who exhibited inappropriate/dangerous behavior was a youngster with a disability who just wasn't identified as being such?

-Students who violate conduct codes CAN claim IDEA protections if:
    1. the parents previously expressed concerns in writing to the LEA (local education
            agency...the school district)
    2. the student's behavior or performance indicated a need for services
    3. a teacher requested an evaluation or assistance regarding the behavior pattern
    4. teachers (or other personnel) expressed concern about behavior to other professionals
 

If an evaluation is requested during the time when the youngster is undergoing disciplinary action, the student remains in current placement until the results of an expedited evaluation are available.
 
 

* So what do some experts in the field think about "manifestation determination" assessment?  ......  "There are no empirically validated methods to make this determination.  It may be empirically & theoretically impossible to make a manifestation determination." (Katsiyannis & Maag, 1998)

So we may be required to do it even though it's not possible.  Go figure.
 
 
 
Return to the EBD teacher page

 

Fetch Dr. Mac's Home Page
Did the puppy's ADHD condition have an impact on it's refusal to follow the command?