A Michigan study showed students who receive one out-of-school suspension incident (based on 1-3 days each suspension) in ninth grade are a quarter less likely to graduate high school, a third less likely to enter college, and more than twice as likely to drop out of high school. Students with disabilities who receive four or more out-of-school suspensions in the ninth grade are less than half as likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college. These same students are four times as likely to drop out of high school.
Upon repeated incidents of student misbehavior or classroom disruption, the IEP Team may need to meet to consider whether the student’s behavioral supports are being consistently implemented as required by the IEP or whether they should be changed. It is critical to avoid an overreliance on, or misuse of, exclusionary discipline in response to a student’s behavior.
IDEA Discipline Requirements (PDF) - IDEA requirements for disciplinary decisions (MDE)
Q&A: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA's Discipline Provisions
Emphasizes the requirement that schools provide positive behavioral support to students with disabilities who need them.
Disciplinary measures for children with disabilities may suggest a lack of proper behavioral interventions and support.
Discipline Protections and Resources - Catamaran Website
Discipline Protections for Students with Disabilities (MDE, Recorded April 2021)
Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) Model Form (PDF) *In Lenawee County, MDRs are completed in Illuminate.
Navigating the MDR Wizard Quick Navigation Menu - Descriptions of the links and helpful hints to assist navigation
MDR Illuminate Manual - (PDF of above information)
BEFORE suspending or expelling ANY student building admin MUST complete
What is Notice?
Notice is written information given to the parent by a district to explain an action the district wants to take or refuses to take with a student who has a disability or is suspected of having a disability.
Notice provides the reason(s) that the district proposes or refuses an activity.
Notice must always be given before consent is requested. The parent needs the information in the notice to make an informed decision about providing consent.
When is Notice Required?
Notice is required when an activity relates to Identification, Evaluation, Educational placement, or the Provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Important -
Notice is NOT consent.
Consent is NOT notice.
Notification is not notice.