Schedule a Meeting:

A manifestation determination meeting must occur within 10 school days of any decision to change placement. Be sure to allow time for the file review to be completed prior to the meeting date.

Invite:

The District, parent, and relevant members of the IEP Team (determined by parent and District). Below is a list of possible participants:

• Special Education Teacher(s)
• Regular Education Teacher(s)
• Special Education Department Chair
• Student
• Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
• School Psychologist
• School Guidance Counselor
• Building Administrator
• Other School Support Staff

You may want to have someone "scribe" and someone else facilitate, as it can be difficult to manage both simultaneously.

Before the Meeting:

Complete the following components of the file review:

• Behavior: (use drop down menu)
• Additional IEP paperwork: Review information provided by the Manifestation Determination Secretary, and update any additional information needed.
• Cumulative file: Include school enrollment history, grades, attendance, and behavior information. This can be summarized or listed chronologically. If the student was retained at any time be sure to include that ss well.
• Discipline file: Use the following format to document EACH referral and/or intervention for discipline: Date - Disciplinary Action Taken - Behavior (as listed on discipline paperwork)

During the Meeting:

• Complete the remainder of the file review:

• Parent/Student Input
• School Staff Input
• Deliberations: Facilitate the team's discussion and obtain consensus on each of the following questions:
  1. if the conduct was caused by or had a direct and substantial relationship to the child's disability, or
  2. if the conduct was a direct result of the District's failure to implement the IEP.
• Conclusions and Recommendations
  • Based on the responses to the deliberations, the team will determine whether there is causality between the behavior and the student's disability.
  • Characterize this in a brief statement and move into the team's recommendations.
    • (In most cases this will simply mean that the IEP team will convene to review the student's educational program which can be done at that time, or the team may schedule a later date depending upon timelines.)

After a Determination is Made:

No causality (was not a manifestiation):

• The student is subect to the same disciplinary measures as a student without a disability
• Student should complete disciplinary action

A student who has an IEP is entitiled to:

• Special Ed. Services such as placement at an IAES (Interim Alternative Education Setting) or tutoring, or after school program if beyond 10 school days
• Make-up assigned work
• Develop or modify a FBA (Functional Behaviorial Assesssment) if necessary or recommended by the IEP team
• Develop or modify a BIP (Behaviorial Intervention Plan) if necessary, or reommended by the IEP team
• Amend IEP if necessary

Causality (was a manifestation):

• A student may return to school as soon as possible
• Student is entitled to make-up assigned work
• Develop or modify a FBA (Functional Behaviorial Assessment)
• Develop or modify a BIP (Behaviorial Intervention Plan)
• Follow-up with administrative team to revise discipline records
• Amend IEP, if necessary

Post the Completed File:

Once the meeting has taken place, be sure that all decisions are reflected in the electronic copy before submitting the signature page to Records.

Make 2 paper copies to include:

• PWN (Prior Written Notice) to summarize the meeting
• Parent Invitation
• Copy of the Manifestation Report
• Copy of the FBA, BIP, and other supporting documents when appropriate
• Copy of the IEP amendment, when appropriate
• PWN (Prior Written Notice) to go with the amendment

Give copies to:

• Parent(s)/Guardian(s)
• Working File
• Records Department -this copy must only have the original signature pages

Subsequent Manifestation Determinations During the School Year