Behavior Supports and BIPs in Mississippi
How do behavior supports work in a Mississippi IEP?
Mississippi addresses behavior supports for students with disabilities through the federal IDEA framework (34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)) as implemented by the Mississippi Special Education Regulations. When a student's behavior impedes their learning or the learning of others, the IEP team must consider the use of positive behavioral interventions, supports, and other strategies to address the behavior. Mississippi encourages the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks at the school and district level, and MDE provides guidance on functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs). A functional behavioral assessment is required before any manifestation determination changes placement for disciplinary reasons (34 CFR 300.530(f)). Mississippi does not have a separate state statute specifically requiring FBA before all restrictive procedures, but MDE guidance and best practices call for FBA as a foundation for any BIP. Behavior intervention plans must be reviewed when behavior incidents occur and at each annual IEP review.
What Mississippi Requires
When a student's behavior impedes their learning or others' learning, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions, supports, and strategies (34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i); MS Sp. Ed. Regs.).
A functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and behavior intervention plan (BIP) must be conducted or reviewed when a change of placement occurs for disciplinary reasons and the behavior is a manifestation of the disability (34 CFR 300.530(f)(1)).
BIPs must be based on FBA data and focus on teaching replacement behaviors and positive supports, not solely on behavior reduction (MS Sp. Ed. Regs.; MDE Guidance).
In the case of a student whose behavior impedes learning, the IEP team must review and revise the BIP when it is not effective (34 CFR 300.324(b)(1)).
Mississippi school districts must ensure that all staff working with students who have BIPs are trained in implementing the plan (MS Sp. Ed. Regs.).
Key Timelines
FBA and BIP must be conducted or reviewed within 10 school days of a disciplinary change of placement when behavior is a manifestation of the disability (34 CFR 300.530(f)).
BIPs must be reviewed at each annual IEP meeting and revised if the student is not making expected behavioral progress (34 CFR 300.324(b)(1)).
Manifestation determination review must be conducted within 10 school days of a decision to change placement for disciplinary reasons (34 CFR 300.530(e)).