Manifestation Determination (MDR)
A meeting held when a child with a disability faces a disciplinary action (like removal for more than 10 consecutive school days, or a pattern of shorter removals that constitutes a change of placement). The team must determine whether the behavior was caused by the child's disability. If so, the school cannot use the same discipline as for non-disabled students.
Related Terms
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
A plan that describes specific strategies and supports to address challenging behaviors identified through a Functional Behavioral Assessment. It focuses on teaching replacement behaviors and preventing problem behaviors.
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
A process to understand why your child behaves in certain ways. It looks at what happens before and after a behavior to identify triggers and what the child gets from the behavior, so the team can develop better strategies.
Discipline
Special rules apply when a child with an IEP faces school discipline. For suspensions over 10 days, the school must hold a manifestation determination and continue to provide FAPE.
MDR in context
Manifestation Determination comes up across the IEP process — in your IEP document, during meeting prep, and in the federal rights that protect your child. IEP Ally explains where it shows up and what to do about it.
Want help understanding your child's IEP?
Upload Your IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.