Manifestation Determination Review (MDR)

Manifestation Determination Review (MDR):

• What does Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) mean? An MDR is a process set in place to review the information and the relationship between a student's disability and the behavior subject to disciplinary action (Arlington Public Schools, 2018).   

• Where did this come from? MDR was first introduced into IDEA with the 1997 amendments. Since then, the process has been simplified under IDEA 2004 (Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2022).

• How does this affect general education teachers? The MDR helps teachers to compare or understand if the disciplinary action is fair according to the behavior. 

• References:

Arlington Public Schools. (2018, January 31). Manifestation determination review (MDR). Arlington Public Schools. https://www.apsva.us/special-education/manifestation-determination-review-mdr/

Center for Parent Information and Resources. (2022, January). Manifestation determination in school discipline. Center for Parent Information and Resources. https://www.parentcenterhub.org/manifestation/#:~:text=Manifestation%20determinations%20were%20first%20introduced,under%20IDEA's%20disciplinary%20procedures%3B%20and