What does a manifest determination review examine?

A manifest determination review is a process that focuses specifically on evaluating the relationship between a student's disability and their behavior that has led to disciplinary action. The primary purpose of this review is to determine whether the student's misbehavior was a manifestation of their disability, which is a critical aspect of ensuring that students with disabilities are treated fairly in disciplinary situations.

This review can have a significant impact on whether the disciplinary action is upheld or overturned, as it ensures that the unique needs of the student are taken into account under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The analysis within a manifest determination review aims to protect students with disabilities from being unfairly penalized for behaviors that may be directly related to their impairments.

In contrast to this option, the other choices pertain to broader educational considerations that are not the primary focus of a manifest determination review, such as high-stakes testing impacts, effectiveness of educational plans, and eligibility criteria, which, while important, do not directly relate to the specific context of discipline and behavior linked to a disability.