What does the manifestation determination process investigate?

The manifestation determination process specifically investigates the relationship between a student's misbehavior and their disability. This process is mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and is crucial for ensuring that students with disabilities are not unfairly penalized for behavior that is a direct result of their disability. The purpose of this investigation is to determine whether the behavior in question is a manifestation of the student's disability or not.

If it is found that the behavior is indeed connected to the disability, then the school must consider that factor when determining appropriate disciplinary actions. This can lead to modifications in how the school addresses the behavior rather than treating it the same way as misbehavior in students without disabilities. Thus, the focus is on understanding the impact the disability may have on the student’s behavior, ensuring that the student receives the appropriate support and educational adjustments.