What must a district conduct before changing a student's placement due to disciplinary action?

The requirement for a district to conduct a Manifestation Determination Review before changing a student's placement due to disciplinary action stems from the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This process is necessary to determine whether the behavior that led to the disciplinary action is directly related to the student's disability.

During this review, the educational team, which includes the student’s parents and relevant professionals, examines the behavior in question and considers if it was a result of the disability. If the behavior is found to be a manifestation of the student's disability, the school cannot proceed with changing the student's placement as a disciplinary measure. Instead, the focus would shift to addressing the behavior through appropriate support and interventions that take into account the individual needs of the student.

This process is critical in ensuring that students with disabilities receive the protections afforded to them under the law, allowing for a thoughtful approach rather than punitive measures that may not be conducive to their learning and development.