What is a valid criterion for a school requiring a Manifestation Determination Review?

A Manifestation Determination Review is a critical process mandated under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to determine whether a student's behavior that resulted in disciplinary action is a manifestation of their disability.

The valid criterion for requiring a Manifestation Determination Review involves scenarios where a student's placement is being changed as a result of disciplinary action, particularly when that change lasts more than 10 consecutive days. This is because, at that point, the educational setting is considered significantly altered, which triggers the need for the review to ensure that students with disabilities are protected from inappropriate removal from their educational placements.

In such situations, the review assesses whether the conduct in question was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the child's disability. This consideration aims to protect students from being unjustly penalized for behavior linked to their condition, ensuring their educational rights are upheld. While suspensions and expulsions are important disciplinary actions, they do not automatically necessitate a Manifestation Determination Review unless the change in placement exceeds the threshold established by regulations, reinforcing the necessity of evaluating longer-term changes to a student's educational environment.