District 100 Knowledge Base (Admin and Clerical)

    Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) Guidance Document

    Notes/Considerations

    It should be noted that all information should be factual and include data.

    A manifestation determination review must be conducted for each disciplinary incident that results in either a  referral for expulsion or a suspension that results in more than 10 days of OSS cumulatively in a school year.


    A meeting should be held whenever there is concern with a student's pattern of behavior that is resulting in a student being removed from their education setting. This includes In School Suspension (ISS) The meeting should be a team planning meeting to determine if an FBA should be conducted, the BIP revised and or new interventions. 


    An Additional Notes document is created  by the Case Manager.  A designated note taker should be identified by the team prior to the MDR.  This Additional Notes document  should be completed for all Manifestation Determination Review meetings and should include the reason for the determination and how those findings were agreed upon.  

    Updated 10/03/23
    1. 1

      Incident(s) that Resulted in Disciplinary Action:

      • Quote the behavior referral verbatim.  

      • Is there more information that was gathered during or after the incident that is relevant to the incident?

      • Was the antecedent clearly documented?

      • Does the behavior referral capture the intensity, duration and setting surrounding the incident?  Can you picture the incident in your mind when you read the referral or is there more information needed?

      • How many days of OSS did the student receive for each incident(s)?

      *If any of the above information is missing from the discipline referral, those questions should be asked of the AP that issued the discipline.

    2. 2

      At the meeting this box should be reviewed first!The Student’s IEP and Placement (include a review of all relevant information in the child’s file, including the child’s IEP):

      • Is the description of the student's eligibility accurate from the student’s most recent evaluation?

      • Are there other health/diagnosis changes indicated?

      • Is there any historical information that needs to be discussed that relates to the incident that has led to the MDR?

      • Is there data beyond the most recent IEP that the team may consider, such as teacher notes/anecdotal information and/or any other recent behavior incidents?

    3. 3

      Observations of the Student (include a review of staff observations regarding the student’s behavior):

      • Did the student share relevant information about or leading up to the incident?  

      • Were the student’s teachers interviewed?  

        • Did any of them notice a difference in behavior or academic performance  in the days leading up to, or the day of the incident?

        • What are typical behaviors witnessed by the student’s teachers

    4. 4

      Information provided by the Parents (include a review of any relevant information provided by the parent(s):

      • Was the parent interviewed or given the opportunity to share information?

      • Was there a change in medication (documented by physician)?

      • Is there any other relevant information (environmental, health, social, outside assessment/evaluation)?

    5. 5

      Additional Information to Include

      • Include a comprehensive record of the conversation regarding whether it was linked to the student's disability, including the data utilized. Note if the parent or teacher note new behaviors or different reactions to things than previously. 

      • Record the team's decision regarding the manifestation, including the data used to reach each decision.  Team’s should come to a consensus. 

      • Is there a recommended placement request to the Board of Education pending approval of an Expulsion?