What is a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)
Understanding Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs): Protecting the Rights of Students with Disabilities
At Futures Unwalled, we believe that every child deserves a fair and supportive education—especially during challenging moments. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan and is facing disciplinary action, you may hear the term Manifestation Determination Review (MDR). It’s more than just a meeting—it's a legal protection under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that can safeguard your child’s rights.
What Is a Manifestation Determination Review?
An MDR is a special type of meeting held when a student with a disability is facing a suspension or removal from school that would total more than 10 school days in a school year. The school is legally required to hold this meeting before moving forward with further disciplinary action.
The purpose? To determine whether your child’s behavior was caused by—or had a direct and substantial relationship to—their disability or if it was the result of the school’s failure to implement the IEP.
Why This Matters
If the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of the child’s disability, the school cannot continue with disciplinary removals like long-term suspension or expulsion in the same way they would for a general education student.
Instead, the team must:
Conduct or review a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) if one has not already been completed.
Develop or revise a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) to support the student.
Return the child to the placement from which they were removed, unless a different placement is agreed upon in the IEP.
If the behavior is NOT determined to be a manifestation of the disability, the student may be disciplined like their general education peers—but they must continue to receive educational services so they can still progress toward their IEP goals.
What to Expect in an MDR Meeting
The MDR is usually conducted by the IEP team, which includes the parent, educators, and specialists. During the meeting, the team will review:
The student’s most recent IEP
The behavior incident(s)
Teacher observations
Relevant evaluations and data
As a parent, you have the right to bring advocates, review all records in advance, and share critical insight about your child’s disability and how it may relate to the behavior in question.
Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Request documentation of the incident in writing before the meeting.
Review your child’s IEP—pay close attention to behavior goals, accommodations, and any known triggers or supports.
Write down what you observe at home: How does your child respond to stress? Transitions? Sensory input? Authority figures?
Bring someone with you if possible—an advocate, a therapist, or someone who understands your child.
If you believe the IEP has not been followed, say so clearly in the meeting. A failure to implement the IEP can shift the outcome of the MDR.
At Futures Unwalled, we help parents navigate situations like this every day. No parent should have to face an MDR alone or without understanding their rights.
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