What is the purpose of manifestation determination?

• A. It identifies potential disabilities for a student who is struggling.
• B. It identifies opportunities to modify behavior through reinforcement.
• C. It compares behavior observations of educators to those of parents.
• D. It helps ensure that students with disabilities are disciplined fairly.

Answer: (D)

Manifestation determination serves as a critical process within the framework of special education law, primarily designed to protect the rights of students with disabilities. This process is conducted when a student with a disability faces disciplinary actions that could lead to a change in their educational placement, like suspension or expulsion.

The main aim of manifestation determination is to ascertain whether the behavior in question was a result of the student's disability. This ensures that students with disabilities are treated fairly and justly within the disciplinary system. It is grounded in the idea that students with disabilities might exhibit behaviors that stem from their disabilities, which must be taken into consideration when disciplinary measures are applied. Consequently, if the behavior is determined to be a manifestation of the student's disability, the school is required to reconsider traditional disciplinary actions and instead look to adapt support and interventions that address both the behavior and the underlying disability.

This understanding aligns with the legal requirements established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which emphasizes not only the need for supporting students with disabilities but also ensuring they are not penalized in ways that may exacerbate their circumstances or hinder their access to education.