Students with disabilities have additional rights when facing school discipline and disciplinary changes of placement. For example, before a school can change the placement of a student with disabilities for disciplinary reasons, the school must hold a “manifestation determination review” or “MDR.”

An MDR is a special meeting held to determine whether a student’s misbehavior was a “manifestation” of their disability. This applies to students with an Individualized Education Program (“IEP”) or 504 Plan; or where the school has “knowledge” that the student is suspected of having a disability.

For more information about MDR meetings and the rights of students facing school discipline, click on the links below to access a two-page handout from CLASI’s Disabilities Law Program, available in both English and Spanish:
Manifestation Determination Review Meetings Overview (English)
Manifestation Determination Review Meetings Overview (Spanish)

For an in-depth review of the MDR process, watch this training by CLASI Disabilities Law Program attorney Stefanie Ramirez, Esq., and the Parent Information Center of Delaware: https://youtu.be/8SCTX3ghikY

For a general overview of the rights of students with disabilities facing school discipline, check out this training also featuring Disabilities Law Program attorney Stefanie Ramirez, Esq., and staff from the Parent Information Center of Delaware: https://youtu.be/Wzi9JjRx66w?t=15