Manifestation Determination
In Michigan, there is a limit on the number of days that a student can be without instruction. This means, that you can only suspend a student for 10 days. Once that 10 day limit is reached, a manifestation determination meeting must be held. The purpose of a manifestation determination meeting is to determine whether or not the behavior that resulted in the disciplinary action (suspension) was caused by the student's disability. The meeting participants must also determine whether or not the behavior was a direct result of the teacher or district's failure to implement the student's IEP. If it is determined that the behavior was a direct result of the student's disability or that the district failed to implement the student's IEP, then the student cannot be suspended or punished. If it is determined that the behavior was not the result of the student's disability, and that it was not a result of the district's failure to implement the IEP, then the student can be suspended for that 10th day. For every situation after in which suspension is considered, another manifestation determination meeting must be held.