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The extent to which special education experts within central Pennsylvania describe legally sound procedures when presented with a manifestation determination situation was investigated. This study provides a look at the interactions of regular and special education by presenting experts with an analog scenario depicting a student with an IEP in a disciplinary situation likely to result in his removal from school. The procedures identified by the special education expert were recorded and compared to a list of procedures legally required by IDEA. In this study only one of the special education experts, selected from Central Pennsylvania high schools, identified all 12 of the legally required procedures. In addition, although 58% (21 of 36) of the administrators results were improved by incorporating the results of special education experts, the average pair identified only 78% (9.4) of the 12 required steps. The results of this study support the claims made in the literature that professionals in the field do not have enough knowledge to make legally sound decisions in the area of manifestation determination.

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Dr. Zilz received his PhD from The Pennsylvania State University in Special Education. He currently teaches at Bloomsburg University in their teacher preparatory program. His research interests include legal issues, autistic supports, and behavior management.

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