What is necessary for a manifestation determination hearing to take place?

For a manifestation determination hearing to occur, it is essential that a special education student is involved in a disciplinary incident. This requirement is rooted in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that schools must assess whether a student's behavior leading to disciplinary action was a manifestation of their disability. The process is designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate protections and that any behavior issues are understood within the context of their educational needs.

In this context, the other options do not hold the same weight in initiating a manifestation determination hearing. While a principal's approval, reliable witness accounts, or psychological evaluation results might be part of the broader considerations for disciplinary proceedings, they are not prerequisites for conducting the manifestation determination itself. The key factor that triggers this hearing is the involvement of a special education student in a disciplinary incident, making it a foundational criterion in understanding how to navigate cases involving students with disabilities.