Complaint Summary
Date Findings Report Sent
March 17, 2026
Case number
26-0369
School District
Bethel Public Schools
Person filing the complaint
Parent
Grade Level
High school
Allegation(s)
The Parent alleged that the team did not review all of the relevant information during the manifestation determination review on January 14, 2026. More specifically, the Parent alleges that the teachers only talked about the Student’s “performance” in class and not his “behavior.” Additionally, she stated that the BASC was mentioned during the meeting, but it was not substantively reviewed. Overall, the Parent alleges that the Student’s behavior in school was not thoroughly reviewed as part of the determination. (34 CFR § 300.530(e))
Conclusion(s)
34 CFR § 300.530(e) provides, in relevant part, that the parent, the relevant members of the student’s PPT (as determined by the district and the parent) must review all relevant information in the student’s file, including the student’s IEP, any teacher observations, and any relevant information provided by the parent to determine—(1) if the conduct in question was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the student’s disability; or (2) if the conduct in question was the direct result of the district’s failure to implement the IEP. The conduct in question must be determined to be a manifestation of the student’s disability if the team determines if the conditions in one or two are met.
In this case, the district members of the team reviewed many relevant documents, however, these were reviewed before the meeting and not with the Parent at the meeting. Thus, this information was not discussed during the meeting. The team did review the general characteristics of the Student’s disabilities (i.e., ADHD and Specific Learning Disability), observations of the Student in school, the Student’s behavior in school, and the skills impacted by the Student’s ADHD. While it is clear that the meeting was disjointed due to the Parent’s confusion about the conduct in question, the team did not review all of the available information during the meeting itself. For example, they referenced the BASC, but never reviewed the scores during the meeting to address the issue of executive functioning versus impulsivity. Therefore, the District is found in violation of 34 CFR § 300.530(e) and corrective action is required.
Corrective Action(s)
On or before the end of the 2025-26 school year, the District members of the manifestation PPT, must receive training regarding the procedures and requirements of a manifestation determination meeting.