Manifestation Determination Process Analysis

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act includes specific guidelines to ensure that students with disabilities are guaranteed their right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). In order for students to receive FAPE, they need to be in the least restrictive environment, which is a placement that the IEP team determines on a case by case basis. It is critical to avoid changes in placement without parental permission and approval from the IEP team. However, behavior can result in this change if it warrants suspension or expulsion. When suspensions or expulsions that constitute a change in placement are necessary for a student with a disability, a process known as the Manifestation Determination process must take place. The Manifestation Determination process investigates whether or not a behavior was a manifestation of the student’s disability. It is essential to understand the circumstances that are considered to be a change in placement. Students with disabilities can …show more content…
Two essential questions are considered at this time. First, the team should decide if the behavior was caused by the student’s disability. Then, the team should consider if the behavior was caused by a failure to follow the student’s IEP properly. Once these questions have been answered, the IEP team may proceed to the next step. If the behavior was indeed a manifestation of the student’s disability, one of two things may occur. If the student did not already have a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) in place, a Functional Behavior Assessment will be conducted and the results should be used to form a BIP. If a BIP is already in place, the team should meet and make appropriate amendments to the plan. However, if the behavior is not found to be a manifestation of the student’s disability, the student can be disciplined in the same way that a student without disabilities would