Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
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Titre
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Live Q&A: Hard Truths, Real Questions, and Why The Epic IEP Changes Everything
05 Nov 2025
00:58:26
Karen shares why she wrote The Epic IEP, who it’s for, and how this book delivers a clear roadmap for parents, educators, and advocates to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes — without guesswork, confusion, or misinformation.
💬 Inside this episode:
Who The Epic IEP is really for (and why every teacher, parent, and advocate needs it)
The biggest lies told in IEP meetings — and how to respond with truth and data
What to do when schools retaliate against parents or ignore IDEA timelines
When to request compensatory time, a due process hearing, or a state complaint
Why the Epic IEP isn’t just a book — it’s a movement for change
Stories of hope, heartbreak, and humor from real IEP tables across America
Karen also previews her upcoming Paraprofessional Webinar and the Epic IEP Mastery Summit (February 6) — both designed to equip you to train, lead, and advocate with clarity.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Live Q&A: The Heart, Humor, and Hard Truths Behind The Epic IEP
04 Nov 2025
00:53:44
Welcome back, y’all! In this Special Education Boss® episode, we’re taking you inside our Live conversation about the launch of The Epic IEP — my brand-new, world-changing book written for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Grab your latte and lean in as we talk about: ☕️ The story behind The Epic IEP — and why it’s my love letter to every parent, teacher, and advocate sitting at the IEP or 504 table. 📘 How one pandemic pivot in 2020 turned into a nationwide advocacy movement. 💬 Why we must stop “agreeing to disagree” when it comes to children’s rights — and how to communicate with clarity, compassion, and conviction. 🧩 What makes this book different: it’s not just what to do, but how to do it. 💡 The real meaning of procedural safeguards and how missteps can permanently impact a child’s future. ❤️ Stories of transformation, inclusion, and hope — from tears in the IEP meeting to life-changing outcomes for students. 😂 A few bleach-blonde jokes, bins, and laughter (because we can’t do this work without a little humor).
If you’ve ever left an IEP meeting frustrated, overwhelmed, or confused… this episode will remind you: you’re not alone and you’re not powerless.
🎯 Get your copy of The Epic IEP today at Amazon , then head to TheEpicIEP.com to unlock over $500 in pre-order bonuses, including your free ticket to our upcoming Epic IEP Mastery Summit on February 5th.
💻 Ready to learn and grow every week? Join The Epic IEP Academy — the premiere weekly professional development community for parents, educators, and advocates. 👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
📱 Follow @SpecialEducationBoss on TikTok, subscribe on YouTube, and listen to more episodes of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Because here’s the truth: When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Paraprofessionals, IEP Myths, and the Truth About Special Education Law
17 Oct 2025
00:58:26
n this episode of Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, dives deep into the questions flooding her inbox every week — from paraprofessionals and IEP goals to compensatory services, parent rights, and what really happens when the law isn’t followed.
Joined by Cindy, Karen breaks down complex special education issues with humor, honesty, and heart. You’ll learn how to recognize violations, protect your child’s rights, and walk into IEP meetings more informed and confident than ever before.
📘 The Epic IEP Is Coming! Karen’s groundbreaking new book The Epic IEP™ is now available for pre-order at TheEpicIEP.com . When you pre-order your hardcover copy and return to register your receipt, you’ll unlock $500 in exclusive bonuses, including: ✨ Reader’s Guide ✨ Mini Book of Karen Quotes ✨ Private Epic IEP Book Club ✨ Exclusive Author Q&A Session ✨ 6-Hour Live IEP Summit on February 5, 2026
Whether you’re a parent, paraprofessional, teacher, or advocate, this episode will give you the clarity and courage to sit at the IEP table fully equipped.
IN THIS EPISODE: 🎯 Can paraprofessionals teach small groups without a special educator? 🎯 How to know if your child’s IEP goals are being met 🎯 What to do when your district lacks certified teachers 🎯 The power of effective advocacy—and where to start
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
What You Don’t Know Will Cost Your Child: Restraints, Paras, and Filing Complaints
01 Apr 2025
00:44:24
Welcome to another episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, where we cut through the confusion at the IEP and 504 table to give you clear answers and powerful action steps.
This week, Karen is back to answer your biggest questions — from procedural safeguards and legal rights to school practices that just don’t fly. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, advocate, or admin, you’ll walk away knowing exactly what to ask, say, and do.
🎯 In this Ask the Advocate session, we cover:
Do you need both a 504 and an IEP? (Short answer: No.)
Compensatory services: how much is enough?
What indirect services really mean — and when they’re not enough.
How to get incident reports (and what to do if the school didn’t report a restraint).
Why paraprofessionals can't deliver specially designed instruction.
The law on replacing special ed teachers with aides.
Who decides if a student qualifies for a 1:1 aide — and what data is required.
FOIA: what it is, how to use it, and why it matters.
What to do when the school doesn’t implement the IEP or BIP.
When and how to file a state complaint that gets results.
Why so many teachers don’t know IDEA — and how that impacts your child.
What to ask for before your ARD/IEP meeting to fully participate.
How to know if your advocate is the right fit.
When “reverse mainstreaming” is inappropriate — and what to do instead.
💬 Key Quotes from Karen:
“Specially designed instruction means it’s special — and it’s instruction. Paras aren’t certified to provide it, no matter how amazing they are.”
“You don’t have to be a lawyer to know your rights. But if you don’t assert them, you don’t have them.”
“What you don’t know doesn’t hurt the school — it penalizes your child, sometimes for a lifetime.”
🎧 Want to advocate like a boss? Register for Karen’s 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Training — available on-demand or join us live in Florida this summer!
📩 Need help now? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com We have full-time, personally trained partner advocates nationwide.
🎓 Join The Academy Access 300+ hours of training, live week
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
You Can’t Make This Up: Real Questions, Real Answers
01 Apr 2025
00:53:17
Welcome to this week’s episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — where we empower parents, educators, and professionals to navigate and negotiate successful outcomes.
In this Ask the Advocate– session, Karen is LIVE answering rapid-fire questions from real parents and educators sitting at the IEP and 504 table.
🔥 Topics in this episode include:
Is speech impairment required for ECSE eligibility?
What to do when your district says, “We don’t do that here”
Getting support in your classroom when you're short-staffed
What to say when your child’s IEP isn’t being followed
Why you cannot request a human, but you can request services
What’s illegal in self-contained classrooms
When to file a state complaint (and what to say)
How to advocate strategically without starting a war
Karen breaks it down with real talk, compassion, clarity, and the occasional call for a matching tattoo. 🙃
💬 Questions are read aloud by a moderator (SEA Advocate Partner) as Karen responds live with the wit, wisdom, and fire you’ve come to expect from your Special Education Boss®
🎧 Subscribe + Share We release new episodes every week, covering real-world issues, current policy shifts, and parent empowerment through the lens of the law. Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so we can help more families, teachers, and advocates navigate the special education process with confidence and clarity.
🎓 Want to be trained as an advocate? Join our 2-Day In-Person Training or access it On Demand—because what you don’t know could cost your child their education. 👉 Learn more here
📚 Need expert help now? Email us at: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Real Questions, Real Answers from the IEP Frontlines
01 Apr 2025
00:44:02
Welcome to Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — your bold, truth-telling advocate for all things IEP, 504, and student rights. In this debut episode, Karen tackles real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates during a live “Ask the Advocate” broadcast.
If you’ve ever felt lost, frustrated, or steamrolled at an IEP table, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. Karen pulls no punches — offering clarity, candor, and laughs as she unpacks the legal and practical sides of special education.
Questions are read aloud by a moderator as Karen responds live with the wit, wisdom, and fire you’ve come to expect from your Special Education Boss®.
Whether you’re new to advocacy or a seasoned warrior, Episode 1 will inspire, equip, and remind you: when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. 💥
💡 In This Episode, Karen Answers Questions Like:
What are the criteria for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
Can I get an aide on my child’s school bus?
What do I do when the school won’t follow the IEP?
Is it illegal to pre-determine manifestation determination?
Can I move my child with an IEP to a new district?
What’s the truth about compensatory services and how to get them?
Should parents worry about the future of 504 plans?
📚 Resources & Links Mentioned
Join The Academy — Weekly training + hundreds of hours of expert content
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
EP Meeting Game Plan: Drafts, Present Levels, Goals, LRE & Services
16 Oct 2025
00:39:40
Walking into an IEP meeting without a plan is how we end up tabling, redoing, and wasting time. In today’s TT Lunch Live, Karen lays out her exact meeting modality—what to request, what to review, and how to build an EPIC IEP that actually drives progress.
What we cover:
The four documents Karen always has open: last FIE, 36 weeks of progress reports, last annual IEP, and the current draft
How to open the meeting (hint: don’t jump straight to present levels)
Building pristine, prescriptive, “puffy” Present Levels (strengths, needs, and input from everyone who provides an educational product)
Elevating parent concerns into the Present Levels (34 CFR §300.324) instead of burying them in deliberations
LRE ≠ “get back to general ed”; understanding continuum of placements (34 CFR §300.115) and why resource still exists
Building the Schedule of Services after Present Levels, Goals, Accommodations, and LRE are solid
Practical advocacy: creating a “Zach Pack,” sharing the IEP with all teachers (including electives), and partnering with staff
Resources mentioned:
Pre-order Karen’s new book The Epic IEP + unlock bonuses: https://theepiciep.com
Federal regulations online (eCFR) and IDEA references (e.g., §300.324 review/revise IEP; §300.115 continuum of placements)
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Panel Q&A: Real Special Education Scenarios Every Parent and Advocate Needs to Hear
15 Oct 2025
00:12:15
Join Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, for a powerful panel Q&A and discussion covering real special education questions from parents, advocates, and professionals across the country.
In this open conversation, Karen tackles critical issues facing families and educators — from IEP rights to retaliation policies, advanced classes, AAC devices, and more — all with her signature blend of humor, clarity, and empowerment.
💬 In this episode, we cover:
What services a child who is blind should receive — and why proper vision assessments matter
How to join The Academy and access 300+ hours of advocacy training
Whether schools can recommend placements without data
Why data—not opinions—drives every special education decision
Retaliation protections under the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
Why speech cannot be “made up” in another class
IEP eligibility disagreements and your right to reconvene within 10 days
Academic goals in behavioral classrooms
Why related service providers must be at transition meetings
What happens when a district brings an attorney to an IEP meeting
Access to advanced classes for students with IEPs
AAC/SGD evaluations for nonverbal students
Whether classroom parties and parent exclusions may raise discrimination concerns
Why parents should always request evaluations before meetings
This episode is packed with real-world insights for parents, educators, and advocates who want to understand — and use — their procedural rights effectively.
🎓 Join The Academy: Access over 300 hours of training, live coaching calls, and full course access — including “How to Get Your Child Evaluated for Special Education.” 👉 https://www.specialeducationacademy.com
📘 Get the Book — The Epic IEP™: Your guide to navigating and negotiating successful student outcomes. 👉 https://www.theepiciep.com
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Live Q&A: Real IEP Scenarios, Parent Rights & Special Education Solutions
14 Oct 2025
00:10:37
What happens when real parents and educators bring real IEP and 504 questions to the table?
In this Live Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers rapid-fire questions straight from families and professionals navigating the special education process.
From 504 Plans and IEP violations to placement decisions, behavior supports, and discrimination scenarios, Karen keeps it real — empowering you with clarity, confidence, and next steps.
💬 Topics Covered:
✨ Twice-exceptional students and Special Olympics participation ✨ When a co-taught class isn’t staffed as written in the IEP ✨ What to do when general ed teachers refuse to include SPED students ✨ Timelines for FOIA and records requests ✨ Out-of-district placements and systemic complaints ✨ What “average” really means in evaluations ✨ LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) misconceptions
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Paraprofessionals, 504 vs IEP, PWN, and Back-to-School Prep
10 Oct 2025
00:27:08
In this Ask The Advocate session, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers rapid-fire questions on everything from paraprofessionals and “direct supervision” to prior written notice (PWN), Child Find, reconvenes, data access, and how to handle placements when needs don’t match the setting. She also shares a quick update from Capitol Hill on IDEA funding and accountability.
Key reminders: “Have to” isn’t a law, data > opinions, and if it isn’t in writing, it didn’t happen.
✳️ What You’ll Learn
Paraprofessionals & “direct supervision”: when subs or paras can (and cannot) deliver services
504 vs IEP: why a 504 typically triggers Child Find and a full evaluation
PWN scripts: how to request denials in writing (devices, aides, services)
Data access: raw data vs. summaries—what belongs in your child’s educational record
Behavior & placement: elopement, BIP/FBA, and safety without defaulting to exclusion
Reconvenes & dissent: disagree the right way and use the next 10 days to gather evidence
Health updates: G-tube/IHP coordination before day one
Teacher readiness: the Zac Pack system to ensure staff know the IEP
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Latte & Learn: DATA First, IEP Prep, Homeschool vs. Public School, and Rapid Q&A
09 Oct 2025
00:28:43
Need a quick caffeine boost for your advocacy? In this Latte & Learn session, Karen Mayer Cunningham and Cindy dig into the “dirty four-letter word” in special education—DATA—and why decisions at the IEP table must be driven by it. You’ll hear real questions from parents and teachers on preschool IEP prep, paraprofessional roles, behavior supports, homeschool vs. public school, reconvenes, documentation, audits, and what to do when you simply don’t agree.
Karen’s reminder: if it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen. Teach → test → track → pivot. That’s how we get outcomes.
✳️ What You’ll Learn
Why teacher observation ≠ verifiable data (and what to use instead)
How to prep for a first preschool IEP (bring a written question list)
In-home parent training: when home/school skills don’t generalize
Homeschool vs. public school: making the educational benefit decision
What to do when you can’t attend or don’t agree at the IEP meeting
Reconvenes, offers of FAPE, and using the next 10 days to gather data
Compensatory services after missed speech/social work minutes
Who takes data, how it’s measured, and accessing your child’s records
Classroom placement/continuum when a student’s needs don’t fit the setting
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Quick Rapid-Fire Q&A with Karen Mayer Cunningham
08 Oct 2025
00:09:15
Ever wish you could ask Karen Mayer Cunningham all your special education questions — and get straight answers, fast? This episode is for you. 💥
Join Karen for a rapid-fire Q&A covering real parent and teacher questions about IEPs, 504s, paraprofessionals, behavior, homeschool transitions, private school rights, suspensions, and more.
Karen brings her trademark humor, clarity, and tough-love truth to every answer — reminding us that when it comes to student rights, “direct supervision” actually means direct supervision.
✳️ What You’ll Learn
What “direct supervision” of paraprofessionals really means
Whether paraprofessionals can teach without a certified special educator
How often a student receiving behavioral services can be suspended
The truth about IEP vs. 504 for mental health needs
What to do when your child can’t stay awake in class
Why reevaluations for dyslexia may (or may not) be required
And much more in this lightning round of real-world advocacy
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Do you know what to do once you receive your Full Individual Evaluation (FIE)?
07 Oct 2025
00:07:36
In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, walks you through what happens after you receive your child’s evaluation results and how to prepare for your eligibility and IEP meeting with confidence.
Karen explains what to look for in each section of your FIE—from speech and language to cognitive, adaptive, achievement, and related services—and how to make sure your questions are answered before and during the meeting.
Too often, parents are handed evaluations full of technical language and acronyms that make no sense. This episode breaks it down so you can understand what’s being said, what questions to ask, and how to ensure every evaluator and service provider is present for meaningful discussion.
✨ You’ll Learn:
What to request before your eligibility or IEP meeting
The eight key parts of a complete FIE
Why it’s essential to get an electronic copy for preparation
How to read and highlight each section effectively
What “eligibility” and “recommendations” really mean
Why you should never excuse an evaluator from the meeting
This is your reminder: the IEP meeting is a business meeting—come prepared, informed, and ready to advocate for your child’s success.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Time, Prep & Participation in IEP Meetings: How Parents Can Secure Their Rights
03 Oct 2025
00:08:47
When it comes to IEP meetings, three key elements can make or break the process: Time, Prep, and Participation. In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, unpacks what parents, educators, and advocates need to know to ensure these rights are respected.
Too often, parents are told the meeting has already been scheduled, drafts are withheld, or their concerns will just be “noted.” Karen breaks down why none of those responses align with IDEA, and what steps you can take to prepare and participate as an equal team member.
✨ Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
Time → Why IEP meetings must be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time (not just whenever the school decides).
Prep → Why parents are entitled to a full draft of the IEP ahead of time so they can make informed decisions.
Participation → What meaningful participation really means, and how parent concerns must be embedded in the present levels of the IEP, not just sidelined in deliberations.
Karen shares practical scripts for emailing the school, real-life examples from her 29 years of experience, and strategies to make sure you walk into every IEP meeting prepared.
💡 Remember: IEP meetings are business meetings. Preparation and collaboration are key to getting it right for the child.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Requesting a Full Individualized Evaluation: Time, Prep & Participation in IEPs
02 Oct 2025
00:08:47
Parents often feel rushed, dismissed, or unprepared when it comes to IEP meetings—but under IDEA, you have rights that guarantee your time, preparation, and full participation.
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down what she calls the TPP of IEPs:
✨ Time – Why IEP meetings must be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time, not just whenever the school decides. ✨ Preparation – How to request a full draft IEP ahead of the meeting so you can make informed decisions (and why withholding a draft is misinformation). ✨ Participation – What federal law says about parents as equal team members, and how your concerns must be written into the IEP—not sidelined into deliberations.
Karen also walks you through sample emails you can send to schools, explains the difference between “team membership” and “meaningful participation,” and connects it all back to the Supreme Court’s Endrew F. decision on meaningful progress.
📘 Don’t miss Karen’s new book, The EPIC IEP™—your playbook for navigating the special education process. Available now at TheEpicIEP.com .
💬 Do you know your rights? You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to. Let’s train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Can the School Do That?
31 Oct 2025
00:18:59
What happens when you find yourself asking, “Can the school do that?”
In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham — Special Education Boss and author of The Epic IEP — breaks down one of the most common (and frustrating) questions in special education.
Karen explains the difference between what schools can do, what they should do, and what’s legally enforceable under IDEA and FAPE. Drawing from nearly three decades of advocacy experience and thousands of IEP meetings, she shares why focusing on “what’s next” is far more powerful than asking “why did they do that?”
You’ll learn: ✅ When a school’s actions cross the line from wrong to unlawful ✅ How to use your procedural safeguards to take effective next steps ✅ What makes a strong state complaint or OCR complaint ✅ Why special education isn’t just a program — it’s a civil right ✅ How to keep the focus on solutions, not frustration
Karen also answers real questions from parents and educators on:
IEP disagreements and signatures
Privacy violations by staff
Inclusion and self-contained models
Adaptive PE and 504 confusion
📘 Order the book: The Epic IEP — your powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process. 👉 Order on Amazon
Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to claim $500 in exclusive bonuses!
💡 Join The Academy: The EPIC IEP Academy is the premier weekly professional development community training parents, educators, and advocates to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes — in real time. 👉 Join here
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Child Find Explained: How Schools Must Identify & Test Students Under IDEA
01 Oct 2025
00:07:44
How do you know if your child is entitled to a special education evaluation? In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, breaks down the Child Find mandate under IDEA (34 CFR §300.111) and what it means for families.
👉 If your child is struggling—academically, emotionally, behaviorally, or with memory, communication, or attention—you have the right to request testing. Schools cannot delay by requiring MTSS, RTI, or SST before an evaluation. Karen walks you through:
✨ What the law says about Child Find ✨ Why advancing grade-to-grade doesn’t remove eligibility for testing ✨ The 2011 OSEP guidance letter clarifying schools cannot deny testing under RTI ✨ How to write a simple, powerful request for evaluation ✨ The three possible outcomes of testing (IEP, 504, or no additional services)
This is essential knowledge for parents, advocates, and educators. Don’t wait—testing identifies and eliminates, and your child doesn’t have time to waste.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
What Every Parent Needs to Know About IEEs, LRE, and IEP Minutes | Ask the Advocate
30 Sep 2025
00:57:06
f your child’s IEP feels incomplete, confusing, or delayed—you are not alone. In this episode of Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles rapid-fire questions from parents, educators, and advocates facing real-world special education challenges.
✨ Inside this episode:
What makes present levels “pristine, prescriptive, and puffy” (and why most are pitiful).
Paraprofessional roles: what the law actually says about direct supervision.
How to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)—and who pays for it.
LRE vs. self-contained: when mainstreaming is appropriate, and when it isn’t.
FBAs, BIPs, and behavior—why responses aren’t enough without interventions.
504 vs. IEP: the real differences and why settling for accommodations often fails students.
Transportation, speech/assistive technology minutes, and what happens when schools are out of compliance.
Discipline, manifestation meetings, and the truth about DAEP placements.
📘 Karen also introduces her brand-new book, The Epic IEP™—a powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates. Pre-order now and unlock $500+ in exclusive bonuses: https://theepiciep.com
➡️ Next step for families & advocates: Join The Academy for weekly live coaching and 250+ hours of professional development: Enroll in The Epic IEP™ Academy
📩 Need an advocate to attend meetings or review records? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. —Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Cell Phones, Resource Minutes, ESY, STAR Test & Tough IEP Questions
26 Sep 2025
00:49:35
What happens when a school tries to take away a diabetic student’s cell phone used for monitoring? Or when IEP goals are written at only the 20th percentile? Or when districts “table” evaluation requests for months?
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—answers rapid-fire questions from parents and teachers, bringing clarity, humor, and straight talk to situations families face every day.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why every child with diabetes needs an IEP and what travel training goals can look like.
The truth about teachers acting as “advocates” and what’s legal vs. risky.
How to file systemic complaints when paraprofessionals are pulled and minutes aren’t met.
Why a goal at 20% fluency is never okay—and what baselines and progress monitoring should include.
ESY: why the expectation is to maintain gains, not start from scratch.
STAR testing: why it’s more about money than education (and why “nobody cares” about your score).
“Homebound as needed”: what it does—and does not—mean.
PWN: when you should demand it (spoiler: almost always).
Why LRE is not synonymous with gen ed—and how to reframe the conversation.
What to do if a teacher withholds food from your child (and why it’s never acceptable).
👉 Join us for live professional development every Monday inside The Academy: Join The Academy
👉 Register for The EPIC IEP Intensive – Sept. 27–28, 2025: Register Here
👉 Subscribe and catch every new episode
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Aca
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Raising Confident Girls with Dr. Tiff Watson: Your Unique FIZEEK!
26 Sep 2025
00:13:44
What if girls learned early that their identity sits on an unshakeable foundation—not a number on a scale or a grade on a test?
In this conversation, Karen sits down with Dr. Tiff Watson—performance coach, sports psych pro, and author of Your Unique FIZEEK! A Girl’s Guide to Faith, Fuel, and Finding Your Superpowers—to talk food–mood connections, confidence, and practical tools for families and pre-teen girls.
You’ll hear:
Why “food is fuel” matters for focus, emotions, and daily resilience
The FIZEEK framework: Faith, Integrity, Zeal, Endurance, Empowerment, Knowledge
How identity, not appearance, drives durable confidence (for girls and moms)
Simple ways to bring whole-food habits into a busy family life
How the book + companion FIZEEK! Girls app gives verses, recipes, journal prompts, and nudges each week Amazon+1
Get the Book:
Official site: youruniquefizeek.org (retailer links + bonuses) Your Unique Fizeek
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
SDI = Special Education: The 3 Elements & Questions to Use in IEPs
25 Sep 2025
00:37:33
SDI isn’t a buzzword—it’s the heart of special education. In this episode, Karen breaks down why special education = specially designed instruction (SDI), how SDI is different from accommodations, and the exact questions to ask in your IEP meeting to reveal what’s really being taught, how, by whom, and when.
You’ll learn:
Why SDI is instruction (not an accommodation or simple “differentiation”)
The 3 SDI elements: Content (what), Methodology (how), Delivery (who/where/when)
How strong present levels + baselines drive real SDI and goal writing
The TED prompts to use in meetings: Tell me, Explain, Describe
What “weekly data collection” should look like (and how to spot red flags)
Practical language to capture effective strategies so next year’s team can replicate gains
Meeting prompts you can use today
“When you provide Billy’s SDI in reading, tell me what that looks like.”
“For math, explain the method that works best for him.”
“For OT/vision, describe who delivers it, where, and when each week.”
“Where is the baseline in present levels that this goal is built on?”
“Who is the implementer, and what’s the method of evaluation?”
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Related Services 101: Physical Therapy, Psych Services, Counseling, Nursing & Social Work in IEPs
24 Sep 2025
00:27:37
In this Related Services session, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down what IDEA really says about services that support a student’s access to FAPE—and how schools should write and deliver them.
What we cover:
Physical Therapy in schools vs medical/therapeutic models (what PT is and isn’t in an IEP; realistic frequency and access needs)
Psychological Services vs Counseling as a Related Service (definitions, when each is appropriate, why psych services don’t have to tie to a goal—but counseling does)
Adaptive PE vs Recreation (where they fit and how they attach to goals)
School Health Services vs School Nurse Services (IHPs, personal care supplements, when a private nurse is appropriate, what nurses can/can’t do in classrooms)
Social Work Services (wraparound, family support, resource mobilization, re-entry after hospitalization)
How to request the right evaluations so related services can legally be added
The constant lens: Meaningful Benefit vs. Harmful Effect
📚 Pre-order Karen’s new book: The Epic IEP™ Claim $500+ in bonuses at → TheEpicIEP.com
🎓 Trainings & Mastermind → SpecialEducationAcademy.com 💌 Need an advocate? advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: The Epic IEP™ Playbook Every Parent & Educator Needs
23 Sep 2025
00:51:06
Karen Mayer Cunningham’s new book, The Epic IEP™: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates Navigating the Special Education Process, is here! 📚
This episode of Ask the Advocate is dedicated to unpacking why this book is a game-changer, how it equips parents, teachers, and advocates to sit confidently at the IEP/504 table, and what makes The Epic IEP™ different from anything else out there.
Inside this episode: ✨ The BIG announcement: Karen’s book launch with Simon & Schuster ✨ What makes The Epic IEP™ unique compared to other IEP guides ✨ How to claim $500+ in exclusive pre-order bonuses (including the Epic IEP Summit on February 5th) ✨ Real Ask the Advocate Q&A covering IEP services, accommodations, compensatory education, and more
📚 Pre-order The Epic IEP™ today: https://TheEpicIEP.com
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Dyslexia Progress, Music Therapy, 504 vs IEP, FAPE, and Tough School Scenarios
19 Sep 2025
01:00:54
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—answers your most pressing special education questions with clarity, humor, and straight-to-the-point strategies you can take to the IEP or 504 table.
From dyslexia progress monitoring to behavior plans and field trip access, Karen reminds us: parents don’t have to settle for “we don’t do that here.” The law, the data, and your child’s needs drive the process—not convenience.
✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:
How to measure meaningful progress for dyslexia and dysgraphia.
When music therapy can be included as a related service.
What IDEA says about services delivered by a special education teacher (34 CFR 300.156).
Why ADHD doesn’t always stop at a 504 plan—when to push for testing.
The truth about meeting notes vs. IEP documentation.
What happens if a district denies testing or delays evaluations.
Why grades and IQ do not determine eligibility.
ESY vs. compensatory services—why they’re not the same.
Placement, LRE, and how to challenge cookie-cutter programs.
Transportation as a related service under FAPE.
Behavior Intervention Plans, discipline, and protecting your child’s rights.
How to become an advocate in California (including Spanish-speaking families).
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
OSEP Letters, Part 2: The Truth About IEEs (Independent Educational Evaluations)
18 Sep 2025
00:17:37
In Session 2 of our OSEP Letters series, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—breaks down Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): what they are, when to request one, who chooses the evaluator, how districts must respond, and how to use OSEP guidance to keep your team compliant.
Using the February 20, 2004 OSEP letter to Dr. Parker, Karen covers:
When an IEE is triggered: after a parent disagrees with a district evaluation (or part of it).
The exact language: “I disagree with the evaluation—its data, summary, and conclusion.”
Who chooses the evaluator? The parent—not the district—within reasonable criteria.
District “lists”: helpful but not binding. Parents can pick off-list evaluators who meet criteria.
Costs & criteria: IEEs are at public expense; districts can set reasonable qualifications & location—not impose extra conditions/timelines.
What if the district says “no”? They must without unnecessary delay either (1) file due process to defend their eval, or (2) fund the IEE.
Reality check: Why forcing due process over an IEE is usually a bad district bet—and how to respond if they posture but never file.
Important nuance: Districts must receive and consider IEE results, but are not required to implement every recommendation.
Pro tips for choosing providers (experience, report quality, district familiarity) and red flags (open schedule tomorrow = 🚩).
💡 Karen also shares how to attach OSEP letters to deliberations and state complaints to keep the legal guardrails visible for everyone at the table.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Recess Rights & Tough IEP Questions
17 Sep 2025
00:59:09
Happy Monday, Advocates! In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—tackles another round of rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country. From recess rights to PCS plans, and from tardy notes to 1:1 aides, Karen brings clarity, humor, and real strategies you can use in the IEP/504 process today.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why we don’t advocate by diagnosis (CP, autism, ADHD, etc.), but by the characteristics of the disability.
Can schools take away recess as punishment?
Supporting students in alternative placements for mental health.
Do schools need a doctor’s note for every tardy/absence if there’s already a medical order?
What is a PCS (Personal Care Supplement) and how it fits in the IEP.
How long should it take for a district to respond to an evaluation request (hint: not three months!).
Who writes speech/language vs. communication goals—teachers or SLPs?
The OSEP January 2011 letter: why MTSS/RTI cannot delay testing.
Why a 1:1 aide = a service under an IEP, not a 504.
Who can serve as a 1:1—does it have to be a special education teacher?
What to do if related services are being delivered virtually.
Why EC buses must be door-to-door, not just to the stop sign.
Can paras test students? What levels matter?
Who actually writes the IEP—and do you need to be a certified SPED teacher?
What to do when staff shortages mean IEP services aren’t being provided.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Who Is The Epic IEP For? | Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham
30 Oct 2025
00:14:38
Who did Karen Mayer Cunningham write The Epic IEP for—and why?
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen opens up about the heart and mission behind her brand-new book, The Epic IEP—a powerful, actionable playbook for parents, educators, and advocates who sit at the IEP table.
For nearly three decades, Karen has trained thousands to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. But she knew there needed to be a way for everyone—regardless of experience—to have access to the exact protocols, processes, and practices she’s used to help students thrive.
📘 The Epic IEP isn’t another academic text or legal manual—it’s an actionable guide that turns confusion into confidence. Whether you’re facing evaluations, writing goals, preparing for ESY, or sitting in your very first IEP meeting, this book gives you the framework to do it right. Because when the paperwork isn’t right, the program can’t be right.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Who The Epic IEP was written for (and why it matters)
Why “getting on the same page” at the IEP table changes everything
How the book bridges the gap between law, language, and implementation
Why Karen calls it a powerful playbook—not a book of information dumps
Real questions from parents, advocates, and teachers—and Karen’s answers
Then visit https://theepiciep.com to submit your receipt and unlock $500 in pre-order bonuses, including a free ticket to the Epic IEP Summit!
🎓 Get Weekly Training: Join The Epic IEP Academy, the premiere professional development community for parents, educators, and advocates learning to serve students at the highest level—every Monday night. ➡️ https://specialeducationacademy.com/training
📲 Download the free Special Education Academy App on iOS + Android.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
OSEP Letters, Part 1: Twice-Exceptional Students, SLD Eligibility & the End of “Severe Discrepancy”
16 Sep 2025
00:26:01
Karen kicks off a multi-part series on must-know guidance letters from the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). Today’s focus: the Dec 20, 2013 letter about twice-exceptional (2e) students and how states may—and may not—determine Specific Learning Disability (SLD) eligibility under IDEA.
What you’ll learn:
Why high cognition does not disqualify a student from IDEA eligibility.
The two-part test for IDEA eligibility (impairment + need for special education/related services).
The 2004 IDEA reauthorization changes that matter (ESY, transition, removal of severe discrepancy requirement).
What states must permit (RTI/response to scientific, research-based interventions) and what they must not require(a severe discrepancy).
“Cut scores” and why one test or single metric cannot be the sole criterion.
The nine academic areas (incl. dyslexia/reading domains) used when considering SLD.
How to use the letter in meetings (and get it into deliberations) when schools say “the numbers are the numbers.”
Why district “policies” can’t narrow federal rights—and how to ask for the actual board policy.
Quote to remember: “We don’t educate to please the adults in the room—we educate to meet the needs of the child.”
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Cell Phones, Resource Minutes, ESY, STAR Test & Tough IEP Questions
12 Sep 2025
00:49:35
What happens when a school tries to take away a diabetic student’s cell phone used for monitoring? Or when IEP goals are written at only the 20th percentile? Or when districts “table” evaluation requests for months?
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—answers rapid-fire questions from parents and teachers, bringing clarity, humor, and straight talk to situations families face every day.
✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why every child with diabetes needs an IEP and what travel training goals can look like.
The truth about teachers acting as “advocates” and what’s legal vs. risky.
How to file systemic complaints when paraprofessionals are pulled and minutes aren’t met.
Why a goal at 20% fluency is never okay—and what baselines and progress monitoring should include.
ESY: why the expectation is to maintain gains, not start from scratch.
STAR testing: why it’s more about money than education (and why “nobody cares” about your score).
“Homebound as needed”: what it does—and does not—mean.
PWN: when you should demand it (spoiler: almost always).
Why LRE is not synonymous with gen ed—and how to reframe the conversation.
What to do if a teacher withholds food from your child (and why it’s never acceptable).
👉 Join us for live professional development every Monday inside The Academy: Join The Academy
👉 Register for The EPIC IEP Intensive – Sept. 27–28, 2025: Register Here
👉 Subscribe and catch every new episode
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Transportation, Dyslexia, MDRs & IEP Meeting Notes
10 Sep 2025
00:25:53
Are your IEP meeting notes inaccurate? Has your child been placed on a 504 when you know an IEP is needed? Are you being told your student can’t get transportation or that grades prevent eligibility? You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, answers real parent and teacher questions about IDEA, IEPs, 504s, and procedural safeguards. She brings clarity, humor, and step-by-step advocacy strategies you can use immediately at the table.
✨ In this episode, Karen covers:
Transportation in the IEP – what districts must provide and how to respond if they refuse.
Why “inaccurate” IEP meeting notes can and should be challenged.
Dyslexia: why a 504 isn’t enough if a student needs specially designed instruction.
Can schools excuse “late arrivals” as part of the IEP? Karen explains.
MDRs: when they apply for IEPs and 504s.
What to do when the district refuses accurate placement or predetermined services.
Parent rights at age 18 – what changes, and what doesn’t.
Why House Bill 4545 hours are optional (and how to decline them).
Daily data collection sheets: how to request them and why they matter.
Can services be delivered in homeschool/online settings? The truth about FAPE outside the school building.
Testing, RTI/MTSS, and why delays violate civil rights.
When and how to file state complaints or OCR complaints.
👉 Join us every Monday night inside The Academy for live professional development: Join The Academy
👉 Register for the EPIC IEP Intensive – 2-Day Advocacy Training (Sept. 27–28, 2025): Register Here
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: FAPE, Discipline, Transition, and Tough IEP Questions Answered
09 Sep 2025
00:59:21
Are you sitting at the IEP or 504 table feeling unprepared, overwhelmed, or unsure of your rights?
You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, tackles your most pressing questions with clarity, humor, and no-nonsense advocacy strategies. From discipline laws in Texas to IEP services not being implemented, Karen explains what IDEA requires, how to respond to school pushback, and why being prepared at the table changes everything.
✨ Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
Why accommodations are not specially designed instruction (and what that means for suspected dyslexia).
Transition planning essentials and why there’s no such thing as an “emergency IEP.”
How to address staff-to-student ratios, untrained staff, or unsafe environments.
Discipline and ISS: what federal law actually requires when students with disabilities are removed.
Why parents must use state complaints strategically to enforce IDEA.
What happens to IEPs after high school—and how to prepare for college accommodations.
Karen’s take on homebound, virtual services, and what schools often get wrong.
Updates on the upcoming EPIC IEP Intensive (Sept. 27–28) + a special surprise giveaway.
👉 Join us every Monday night inside The Academy for live professional development: Join The Academy
👉 Register for the EPIC IEP Intensive – 2-Day Advocacy Training (Sept. 27–28, 2025): Register Here
👉 Subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Paraprofessional Roles & Boundaries in Special Education: What Federal Law Requires
05 Sep 2025
01:04:48
Paraprofessionals change lives—but confusion about their role can lead to serious violations. In this training, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, explains exactly what federal law requires so teams can support students properly and protect FAPE.
What you’ll learn:
Why paras must work under the direct supervision of a certified teacher
How to identify when districts are using paras in place of special educators
What to ask at IEP meetings to verify who is delivering services and how minutes are implemented
Practical boundaries: data collection, accommodations, medical tasks, inclusion support, pullout, ISS, homebound
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Preparing for a Powerful IEP/504 Year: Your “Why,” Outcomes, and What Actually Works
04 Sep 2025
00:34:47
New school year, clean slate. Before the meetings start, let’s get crystal clear on your reason (your “why”), your expected outcomes, and how you’ll get there—so your child actually receives an educational benefit (the standard in IDEA), not just more paperwork.
In this episode, Karen walks you through the four anchors for preparing an effective school year:
Your “Why” – Why your child has a 504 or IEP, and whether it’s delivering results
Educational Benefit vs. Everything Else – What the law really requires (access + benefit)
Expected Outcomes – Align with your spouse/partner and get it in writing
The “Zach Pack” One-Pager – A 4×6 photo and plain-English narrative for teachers
Collaboration That Works – Ask teachers how they’ll support goals so home/tutor align
Data That Matters – Request blank data sheets; confirm teachers have the IEP/504/BIP
The Overtutoring Trap – Stop “watering concrete” and protect your child’s dignity and play
The Etch-A-Sketch Reset – August is the time to reset what’s not working
Accountability in Paperwork – If it’s not in the IEP/504, it doesn’t count
Lead With Love – Reset relationships, assume best intent, and stay outcome-focused
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
IEP Eligibility, Evaluations, and Parent Rights: Your Questions Answered
03 Sep 2025
00:43:41
Do you know your rights? In this Ask the Advocate Q&A, Karen tackles the most common—and confusing—special education questions parents face, from eligibility and evaluations to services, placement, and what to do when the school says “no.”
In this episode:
OHI vs. SLD — what they mean, how they’re determined, and why it’s not “either/or.”
ADHD — 504 accommodations vs. when an IEP is warranted (instruction + goals).
Refusals to evaluate — how to respond and why prior written notice matters.
What data to keep — progress monitoring, BOY/MOY/EOY benchmarks, WCPM, math gaps.
ESY (Extended School Year) — what it is (maintenance), what it isn’t.
Preschool/ECSE & early labels — developmental delay vs. autism and consent for services.
Dyslexia/dysgraphia/dyscalculia — where they fit under IDEA (and where they don’t).
Records reviews & dispute paths — practical next steps when you hit a wall.
Key takeaways:
Use data (not opinions) to drive decisions.
Ask for comprehensive evaluations across all areas of suspected need.
If testing is denied, request the decision in writing via prior written notice (PWN).
When progress reports don’t match reality, bring your own data samples to the table.
Behavior issues typically need instruction (SDI), not just accommodations.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: IEP Signatures, ESY Services, Compensatory Time & More
02 Sep 2025
00:52:44
Feeling lost in the maze of special education? In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers rapid-fire questions about IEP signatures, extended school year (ESY), RTI, para support, compensatory time, evaluations, and more. Get clear, direct, and empowering guidance every parent and advocate needs.
Inside this episode: ✅ Why there’s no such thing as implied consent in an IEP ✅ What schools must provide when a student is suspended or placed elsewhere ✅ The truth about 504 vs. IEP (and why one doesn’t replace the other) ✅ When and how to request compensatory services ✅ What to know about evaluations, IEEs, and timelines ✅ Understanding para support, self-contained programs, and out-of-district placements ✅ Accommodations vs. modifications explained ✅ The role of assistive technology and communication devices ✅ Tips on ESY, dyslexia services, and caseloads ✅ How to find and train as an advocate
Special Education Academy Trainings: https://specialeducationacademy.com/training
✨ Ready to get trained and empowered? Join The Academy today for 250+ hours of on-demand trainings, live weekly coaching, and a supportive advocacy community. 👉 Join The Academy
📧 Need an advocate? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
What Is Specially Designed Instruction? | Part 1
29 Aug 2025
00:34:07
What is Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) — and why is it the foundation of special education?
In this brand-new series, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, breaks down one of the most misunderstood (and misused) concepts in IDEA: special education is specially designed instruction.
In Part 1, we cover: ✅ Why SDI is different from accommodations or modifications ✅ How to ask teachers the right questions to uncover whether SDI is really happening ✅ Why strong IEP goals are the foundation of effective SDI ✅ The three SDI elements: Content, Methodology, and Delivery ✅ How IDEA defines SDI — and what that means in practice for your child ✅ Common mistakes schools make ✅ Why data collection, baselines, and progress monitoring matter
Karen also shares real-life stories from IEP meetings, due process hearings, and advocacy experiences that highlight how schools get SDI wrong — and what parents and advocates can do about it.
📌 If a school can’t describe what they are doing differently than a general education teacher, then your child has not received Specially Designed Instruction.
✨ Join us for this powerful series and come back for Part 2 where we’ll go even deeper.
📣 Want step-by-step training to navigate IEPs, 504s, and advocacy? Join The Academy: 👉 https://specialeducationacademy.com/training
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Your Top Special Education Questions Answered | Rapid Fire with the Special Education Boss®
28 Aug 2025
00:51:53
It’s one of our most popular formats—rapid-fire Q&A straight from TikTok Live! In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers your biggest special education questions with her signature mix of clarity, humor, and straight talk.
We cover everything from: ✅ Do you need a meeting to add accommodations to an IEP? ✅ Can dyslexia teachers serve without special ed certification? ✅ What to do when services are missing or reduced without consent ✅ Retention, transportation, behavior, and related services ✅ The difference between 504 and IEP—and why schools often blur the line ✅ Compensatory services, child find, prior written notice, and state complaints ✅ And so much more pulled directly from parent and advocate questions
This is your playbook for navigating the tricky situations families face every day inside IEP and 504 meetings.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
SEA Podcast | Remote & Virtual Services in Your IEP (+ Q&A)
29 Oct 2025
00:43:05
Are districts allowed to require teletherapy or virtual delivery for your child’s IEP services?
Today, I’m unpacking what IDEA actually requires about how services are delivered—and why “remote-only” isn’t a blanket substitute for direct, in-person services when schools are open.
We walk through the federal requirements (34 CFR §300.320/.324) in plain language—no legalese—and use real meeting scripts to help you push for services that are appropriate, effective, and delivered with fidelity (direct vs. consult, group vs. individual, staffing, setting, and data collection).
November 5, 2025 • 7:00 PM CST — roles, responsibilities, and limitations, plus how to avoid para-as-provider models that deny FAPE. Register at SpecialEducationAcademy.com.
💌 Need support?
Our trained advocates serve families nationwide (remote). Email advocate@specialeducationacademy.com for records review or meeting support.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Demystifying Prior Written Notice (PWN) in Special Education: What Parents Must Know
27 Aug 2025
00:14:27
In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham unpacks one of the most overlooked yet powerful safeguards in special education: Prior Written Notice (PWN).
Most parents don’t realize that a PWN is not optional—it’s federally required. And it’s the school’s responsibility to complete it whenever they propose or refuse changes to your child’s identification, evaluation, placement, or services.
Here’s what Karen covers in this training:
✅ The eight required components every PWN must include ✅ Why deliberations and signatures do not substitute for a proper PWN ✅ What to do if a PWN contains inaccurate testing procedures ✅ The timeline for receiving a PWN after an IEP meeting (and how to respond if delayed) ✅ Why legal documents should never be sent home in a child’s backpack ✅ How PWNs connect to procedural safeguards, state complaints, and appeals
Karen shares advocacy strategies, real-life examples, and the straight talk you need to hold schools accountable and walk into meetings prepared.
📌 Next Steps & Resources
Join The Academy for 250+ hours of advocacy training and community support
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: School Shenanigans, Paraprofessionals, and IEP Questions Answered
26 Aug 2025
00:52:46
It’s a Marvelous, Amazing Monday with Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, back with another Ask the Advocate episode!
This week’s Q&A is packed with real parent and teacher questions covering IEP services, paraprofessionals, afterschool programs, behavioral supports, and yes—school shenanigans.
Here’s what Karen answers:
✅ What evaluations parents can request when schools say “everything is fine” ✅ Do paraprofessionals need to be in the classroom at all times? ✅ Can schools place a student with an IEP in virtual-only after a fight? ✅ Can schools send a child home for half days instead of providing support? ✅ Do 504 accommodations carry into college? ✅ What to do if your child is head banging (and why FBAs matter) ✅ Amending IEPs without a meeting — what’s allowed and what’s not ✅ How to find and become an advocate (and why the 2-Day Intensive is the best first step) ✅ Teacher questions: missing IEPs, unsafe caseloads, co-teach concerns, and more
Karen shares advocacy strategies, humor, and the straight talk you need to sit at the IEP/504 table prepared.
📌 Next Steps & Resources
Join The Academy for live weekly coaching + 250+ hours of training
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Ask the Advocate: Dexcom Denials, Aides, Accommodations & LRE Truths
22 Aug 2025
00:48:15
This week’s Ask the Advocate is packed with real questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country—and straight answers you won’t hear anywhere else.
From Denton ISD removing a child’s Dexcom, to confusion around aides, accommodations, and placement, Karen dives into the hard truths with humor, clarity, and strategy. You’ll hear powerful discussions on:
✅ Why “sitting in a class” isn’t the same as meaningful benefit in LRE ✅ What to do when paras are delivering special education instruction (state complaint time) ✅ The truth about dismantling the U.S. Department of Education—and why FAPE and IDEA rights aren’t going anywhere ✅ How to document accommodations (and why “extra time” means nothing) ✅ When aides help—and when they actually hurt long-term progress ✅ What to say when schools refuse services like speech therapy or try to downgrade IEPs to 504s ✅ The reality of long-term substitutes “acting” as SPED teachers (spoiler: illegal) ✅ Tips for parents heading into their first 504 or ARD/IEP meeting ✅ Plus: hilarious lipstick talk, flip-flops, and “church pews in Florida”
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or outnumbered at the IEP table, this episode will leave you empowered with tools, language, and confidence.
👉 Join The Academy for weekly training, 250+ hours of archived content, and a community that knows how to win at the table.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Unpacking the Supreme Court Decision: A.J.T. vs. Osseo Area Schools with Dr. Mitchell Yell
21 Aug 2025
00:57:42
he U.S. Supreme Court has spoken—A.J.T. vs. Osseo Area Schools is now a landmark decision shaping the future of special education rights.
In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Dr. Mitchell Yell, one of the nation’s leading voices on special education law, to break down what this case really means for parents, advocates, and schools.
You’ll learn:
📚 The history and background of the A.J.T. case
⚖️ Why the Court ruled unanimously (9–0) and what that means moving forward
💡 The difference between IEPs, 504 Plans, and ADA claims in this context
🚨 How this case pairs with Perez v. Sturgis to fast-track parent claims for monetary damages
🛑 Why “bad faith” or “gross misjudgment” is no longer required to prove discrimination
🔍 What parents and advocates need to look for in IEPs and accommodations to ensure schools are teaching skills—not just masking disabilities
Dr. Yell also highlights William A. v. Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools, another critical case addressing whether accommodations alone equal FAPE, and Karen shares real-life advocacy insight on how this decision strengthens parent rights at the IEP/504 table.
✨ Whether you’re a parent, educator, or professional advocate, this episode will give you clarity, strategy, and the confidence to navigate these changes.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Understanding Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) in Special Education
20 Aug 2025
00:28:57
What exactly is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), and when should you request one? In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down the facts about IEEs under IDEA and why they matter for parents, advocates, and educators.
We’ll cover:
The legal foundation of IEEs (IDEA §300.502)
What an IEE is — and what it is NOT
When to request an IEE (and when not to)
How schools grant, deny, or push to due process
Common pitfalls with outside evaluations
What parents should know before spending money on private testing
Karen also answers real parent questions, including:
“How often is an IEE actually helpful?”
“If a school accepts some of an IEE, do they have to accept all of it?”
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Falsified Service Logs, Shortened Days, and IEP Complaints Explained | Special Education Boss®
19 Aug 2025
00:42:31
This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles tough parent and teacher questions that expose what really happens inside IEP and 504 meetings. From falsified service logs to shortened school days, denials of services, and lack of staff training—Karen breaks down exactly what you can do, what the law says, and how to respond with confidence.
In this episode, Karen covers:
What to do if your school falsifies service logs
Shortened school days and when they violate IDEA
The six dispute resolution options: state complaint, mediation, due process & more
How to request OT, speech, sensory services, and one-on-one aides the right way
Why teachers, paras, and interpreters need training—and how to hold districts accountable
How to become an advocate and why America needs 20,000 more special education advocates right now
Karen shares real examples, practical language you can use in meetings, and empowering strategies to make sure your child’s rights are upheld.
👉 Ready to be trained every week on how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes? Join The Academy
👉 Watch more Special Education Boss® episodes on YouTube
👉 Need direct support? Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
IEP & 504 Q&A: Resource Classes, Behavior Goals, Health Plans, and More
15 Aug 2025
00:45:17
In this Special Education Boss® episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles your top special education questions—cutting through the confusion with clear, direct answers on IEPs, 504s, data collection, medical needs, and more.
🔥 Highlights include:
College & Resource Classes: Does being in a resource setting impact college admissions—and how to make up missing credits.
Behavior Goals That Work: Why “weekly data collection” is critical and who should be tracking it.
Health Plans in Schools: When an IHP is needed for students with medical conditions, even without school-dispensed medication.
Assistive Technology Rights: Using the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 to secure services, minutes, and devices.
Failure to Implement: What to do when IEP services aren’t being delivered as written.
Karen also shares how parents, teachers, and school staff can get free trial access to The Academy—featuring over 300 hours of training, live coaching, and advocacy resources.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
IEP & 504 Q&A: Placement, Accommodations, Modifications, and Advocacy Tips
14 Aug 2025
00:54:59
In this powerful IEP & 504 Q&A episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, we tackle YOUR real-world special education questions—straight from the comments—about eligibility, accommodations, modifications, evaluations, placement, behavior, related services, and more.
Karen breaks down complicated situations into clear, actionable strategies so parents, advocates, and educators can navigate and negotiate at the IEP/504 table with confidence. From early childhood through high school, you'll hear practical examples, federal/state requirements, and the advocacy mindset you need to ensure every student receives a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
In This Episode:
📚 Why brand-name programs like Barton shouldn’t be written into IEP goals—and how to still secure the instruction your child needs.
🎒 Kindergarten readiness: why holding a child back in preschool can have long-term consequences, and how to use the IEP to prepare instead.
💰 Special education funding—where it comes from and what it can (and can’t) be used for.
🧩 Behavior plans: identifying deficits, teaching replacement skills, and ensuring the right level of in-class support.
✂️ Resource class minutes—when crafts and rewards are okay, and when they cross the line.
🚌 Transportation and field trips—what schools are required to provide and when parent attendance is not required.
📋 Data collection: who’s responsible, how to make it meaningful, and why grades are never IEP goals.
🛠️ Modifications vs. curriculum integrity—how to change learner expectations without violating program requirements.
⚖️ Denied 504 Plans: how to appeal, what to document, and when to push for an IEP evaluation.
🚨 Failing implementation: when to escalate to a state complaint or OCR filing.
🎯 Becoming an advocate: why training matters and how to start today.
Karen also dives into high-impact topics like:
Teachers providing instruction outside their certification scope.
Special education classroom ratios and staffing shortages.
Compensatory services for missed speech therapy.
OCR complaints for language access violations.
How “harmful effect” and “meaningful benefit” factor into Least Restrictive E
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Parents’ Procedural Rights – Part 1: Procedural Safeguards & Child Find
13 Aug 2025
00:35:38
Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, kicks off a new series on Parents’ Procedural Rights under IDEA. In this episode, she explains what procedural safeguards really are, why the Child Find mandate is the foundation of special education, and how to protect your rights at the IEP/504 table.
You’ll learn:
When schools must provide you a Notice of Procedural Safeguards and what makes it current
Why it must be in your native language
How divorced or dual-parent rights affect IEP invitations
What “Identify, Locate, Evaluate” means under Child Find
When and how to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Part 1 sets the stage for understanding all 13 safeguards, so you can walk into every meeting informed, prepared, and confident.
“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Back-to-School Special Education Q&A: IEP Meetings, Teacher Certification, and Advocacy Tips
12 Aug 2025
00:58:54
It’s August, it’s hot, and it’s time to talk about starting the school year strong! In this special Ask the Advocate Q&A, Karen Mayer Cunningham — the Special Education Boss® — answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates on everything from calling IEP meetings to checking teacher credentials.
You’ll hear how to:
Identify real reasons to call an IEP meeting (and avoid wasting time)
Make sure accommodations start the first day of school
Handle uncertified or unqualified staff in special ed classrooms
Track down teacher and para credentials in your state
Understand comparable service plans and timelines
Advocate effectively when meetings get postponed
Learn the rules on no-phone policies in schools (including Texas HB 1481)
Start your journey as a special education advocate
Plus — tips for first-time paras, how to prune IEP accommodations, and why delayed special ed is still denied special ed.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
Homework, IEPs & Questions of the Day
28 Oct 2025
00:13:49
Is homework required by law? In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham — the Special Education Boss® — breaks down one of the most common questions families bring to the IEP table: “Is homework legal, and what happens when it causes more harm than help?”
Karen explains what IDEA, ESSA, and state laws actually say about homework (spoiler: nothing requires it).
She also answers real questions from parents, educators, and paraprofessionals across the country, including:
✨ How to request testing to move from a 504 Plan to an IEP ✨ How 504s apply to afterschool programs run by outside companies ✨ Steps to take if testing was conducted without parental consent ✨ How to challenge incorrect placements or restrictive classroom settings
💡 Plus, Karen announces the upcoming Paraprofessional Training Webinar — November 5 at 7 PM CST! Register now at SpecialEducationAcademy.com
Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to claim $500 in pre-order bonuses — including tools, templates, and advocacy resources.
🎓 Join The Academy Get 250+ hours of training that teach you how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes at the IEP/504 table. 👉 Join The Academy
📩 Need help or records review? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com — Our trained advocates serve families nationwide.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)
Because when...
504 vs. IEP: Why the Difference Changes Everything
08 Aug 2025
00:10:02
What’s the real difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP? According to Karen Mayer Cunningham, the answer is simple: everything.
In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen unpacks the critical distinctions between a Section 504 Plan and an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—and why settling for a 504 when your child needs an IEP can set them up for failure instead of success.
You’ll learn:
Why a 504 is not an education plan—and what that means for your child
What an IEP actually provides (data, instruction, and measurable progress)
How schools blur the lines between the two—and why Texas is #1 in IEP denial
The truth about how school staff “gaslight” parents into giving up
Karen’s mindset tools for staying firm, focused, and unshaken by school resistance
The 3Ws of advocacy: “We don’t waffle, waver, or water it down.”
💥 “You’re either setting a child up for destiny or destruction. There is no in-between.”
This is a must-listen for parents, educators, and advocates who want to understand why the IEP is essential—and how to keep pushing until every child gets what they need.
✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨
👩⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss® Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.
👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week! 🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources 🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.
🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game? Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.
📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl (As an Amazon Associate, Karen may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.)