Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

26 Years in the Classroom: A Veteran Teacher Sounds the Alarm

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0500

What happens when the people responsible for carrying out your child's IEP were never trained, supported, or backed up to do it right?

This week, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Michelle Williams, a 26-year veteran classroom teacher who has taught elementary and mathematics in rural, urban, and suburban schools. Michelle has watched teacher support erode from the inside, and she is not staying quiet about it.

This is a conversation every parent, advocate, and educator needs to hear. Michelle pulls back the curtain on what is really happening in schools, and Karen connects it straight to your rights and your child's education.

Here is some of what we get into:

- Why sit-and-get professional development fails teachers and the students who count on them

- The greening of education, and what happens when new teachers are left to train new teachers

- What the law actually expects when a child is suspected of having a disability, before an IEP is even in place

- Why signing an IEP is a legally binding commitment, not a formality

- How IDEA works as a federal grant program, and the assurances your state signs every single year

- What least restrictive environment means, and why quietly relaxed standards should concern every family

- How to find out what your district actually spends on special education using open records

- What Michelle learned filing two state complaints that were both substantiated

Then we do the thing most people only talk about doing. We walk through how to fill out a state complaint, step by step.

You don't know what you don't know, but you need to. This is why we sit at the table prepared.

Want to go deeper? Inside Special Education Academy we break down every page of the IEP, your procedural rights, and how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. Start at specialeducationacademy.com.

About our guest: Michelle Williams is a 26-year veteran educator who is taking her fight for public education and students with disabilities to the policy level as a candidate for Texas State Representative. To learn more about her campaign or support her work, visit https://michelleforstaterep.com.

This episode is educational training, not legal advice.

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✨ 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.

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Celebrating the Disability Community: Uniquely You Comes to North Houston (with Lauren Hasz & Brodie Simmons)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0500

There's no shortage of information when you're raising a child with a disability. There's a shortage of trusted information you can actually use.

In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham talks with Lauren Hasz and Brodie Simmons about Uniquely You, a free magazine launching in North Houston that celebrates the disability community and connects families to real, vetted resources.

They get into what makes this different: it's free, it's opt-in, it comes in print and digital, and every cover celebrates an individual or family navigating disability, birth to 100+. Karen, Lauren, and Brodie talk about the resources families actually need, the businesses that serve this community in person and virtually, and why the adult and transition "capacity stories" we never hear are some of the most important ones to tell.

Whether you're a parent, an advocate, a provider, or a business owner who wants to reach and support this community, this conversation shows you where to start.

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
https://youtu.be/FIx0zHzRPxY

GET INVOLVED WITH UNIQUELY YOU NORTH HOUSTON (launching 2026)
Subscribe FREE to the magazine: https://forms.gle/ePkhizd7aT7tY15A8
Nominate a story or refer a business: https://forms.gle/jEncgnc6cfpzXvxW8
Learn more: https://www.uniquelyyoumag.com/
Reach Lauren directly: lauren.hasz@n2co.com

New episodes of Special Education Boss drop every Tuesday. Follow, rate, and share with a family who needs it.

Questions for the show? advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
Learn with us: https://specialeducationacademy.com

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. - Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Where Are All the Special Education Attorneys? The Truth About Reading, IEPs, and Enforcement — with Diane Dragan

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Where Are All the Special Education Attorneys? The Truth About Reading, IEPs, and Enforcement — with Diane Dragan

There are millions of children in this country with an IEP. And by attorney Diane Dragan's count, maybe a thousand lawyers nationwide are willing to take these cases to court. Sit with that.

In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Diane Dragan — special education attorney, founder of Dragan Law Firm in St. Louis, and host of the Litigating Literacy podcast. Diane didn't set out to do this work. She was a federal public defender until her own three children were diagnosed with dyslexia and she ran into the same wall every parent hits: "Your diagnosis means nothing. He's doing good enough." So she became the attorney she couldn't find.

This is a straight-talk conversation about how special education actually works — and why so many families feel like the system is built to exhaust them before they can hold it accountable.

WHAT WE GET INTO

- Why there are almost no special education attorneys, and the financial reality that keeps it that way
- The reading crisis: why 40%+ of kids need explicit, systematic phonics — and why so many schools stopped teaching it
- Balanced literacy vs. structured literacy, and the "just right book" myth
- The teacher-training gap: how educators are sent in as generalists without the specialized instruction their students need
- Poorly written IEP goals — sight words before phonics, missing oral reading fluency norms, and goals that don't match need
- Enforcement: why schools only follow the law when it becomes more expensive not to — and who actually enforces a due process win (often, no one)
- Independent Educational Evaluations: your right to a free second opinion, and why current data changes everything
- How to build a "suspicion of disability" using your own state's learning standards
- The tutoring trap: how tutoring at home can skew the data and let the school take credit
- When a family needs an advocate vs. an attorney
- Why "fixing" a bad IEP can wreck a case before it starts
- The "good relationship" myth, and what the internal emails actually say

Whether you're a parent, an advocate, or an educator at the table, this one will change how you read every IEP that lands in front of you. You don't know what you don't know — but you need to.

This is why we sit at the table prepared.

A note: This conversation is educational. We're not giving legal advice — we're educating you. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a qualified attorney in your state.

More on Diane: Dragan Law Firm, LLC (St. Louis, MO) — https://www.draganlawfirm.com — or find her Litigating Literacy podcast.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE
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Learn with us at Special Education Academy: https://specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

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When Advocacy Isn't Enough: Special Education Due Process Explained (with Attorney Maria McGinley)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0500

No parent sits down at the IEP table hoping for a fight. And no family ever says, "I cannot wait to go to due process." But when advocacy alone is not getting your child what they need, you deserve to understand what comes next.

In this episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, Karen sits down with special education attorney Maria McGinley for an honest, practical look at special education dispute resolution: mediation, state complaints, and due process. Maria brings a rare perspective to the table. She is a former special education teacher, a practicing attorney, and a parent who has navigated the IEP process for her own child.

Together they unpack what every parent and advocate should understand before a dispute escalates, including:

- Why advocacy always comes first, and due process is the last resort
- What due process actually is, an administrative trial, not Law and Order, and the emotional and financial toll it carries
- Why your paper trail is your evidence, and your memory is not
- How to respond to your IEP and the district's deliberations in writing
- What the Endrew F. decision means for "meaningful progress"
- Burden of proof, and why it matters which state you are in
- Independent Educational Evaluations, recording IEP meetings, and knowing when it is time to bring in an attorney

This is educational training, not legal advice. The goal, as always, is to help you sit at the table prepared.

Have a question for our team? Email advocate@specialeducationacademy.com.
Explore the Academy at specialeducationacademy.com.

Guest: Maria McGinley, Esq. — mlgsped.com

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

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YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Beyond Behavior Management: What the Science Actually Says

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0500

You cannot punish a child into having a skill they do not have.

In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Doris and Rick Bowman to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of special education: behavior. Most school plans are built to get compliance in the moment. They manage the behavior and miss what is actually driving it. And when the same kind of plan fails for the fifth or sixth time, the child is the one who walks away believing they are the problem.

This conversation flips that.

Here is what Karen and the Bowmans get into:

Why behavior is not the problem, the nervous system is
The difference between access to the thinking brain and the capacity to meet a demand
What a "state of protection" looks like in your classroom or at your kitchen table
Why connection is the primary intervention, not the reward at the end of it
The trap of praise as judgment, and the neutral "I noticed" language that actually regulates
How predictable, empathetic interactions re-pattern the stress response over time
Why proactive regulation beats reactive regulation every single time
A one-minute regulation practice an adult can do in the middle of a full classroom

This is not about labels. ADHD, ODD, autism, trauma — the diagnosis does not change the work. The work is the nervous system and the missing skills underneath the behavior.

If you have ever sat in a meeting and heard "we have tried everything," this episode is for you.

We are not giving legal advice. We are educating you — so you can sit at the table prepared.

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. — Karen Mayer Cunningham

ABOUT OUR GUESTS — DORIS & RICK BOWMAN Doris and Rick Bowman are "Team Bowman," founders of Bowman Consulting Group and trainers, consultants, and coaches on trauma-informed, neuro-affirming practices. With a combined 50+ years working with the students schools struggle most to serve, they have sat on every side of the table — as the school, the parent, and the advocate. They are the authors of two Amazon #1 books: Your FBA Is a Fantasy! and Facing the Fantasy, Finding the Way Forward. Find their books and trainings at https://www.bowmanconsultgroup.com

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w Buzzsprout: https://specialeducationboss.buzzsprout.com iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/271518986/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d75378a3-0f8b-4fd1-989b-67a5723b5377

CONNECT Website: https://specialeducationacademy.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpecialEducationBoss/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/specialeducationboss/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationAcademy

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Early Pickups, ESY Denials, and the Truth About IEEs - Summer IEP Questions Answered

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Karen answers summer IEP questions live - ESY eligibility and transportation, early pickups as removals, IEE limits, and how to get your child's data.

Full Description (plain text, copy-paste ready)

Summer is when the numbers go down and the access goes up. In this live Q&A, Karen Mayer Cunningham takes questions from parents, advocates, paras, and educators - and does not hold back.

If your school called you to pick up your child early, that was a day out of placement. If they told you they do not provide ESY, that is not true - every district provides ESY under federal and state law. And if you are counting on an IEE to fix a bad evaluation, Karen explains why an IEE is like a scratch-off ticket - you can get one, but you are probably not going home with a million dollars.

In this episode:

Why summer is the best time to file a robust state complaint and meet with leadership
Early pickup calls are days out of placement - a legal decision the school is making
ESY: who qualifies, how to prove regression with the district's own data, and the truth about ESY transportation
IEEs: what they can actually do, what districts are never required to implement, and when one is worth it
When a school must convene an IEP meeting (eligibility and minutes) versus what can be handled by paper amendment
ADHD supports: why services come before accommodations
Reading mastery, dyslexia, and why you never graduate from dyslexia - you move to maintenance
Transition planning, work-based learning, and the Oregon Transition Resource Handbook
The Zack Pack: how to introduce your child and put the full IEP in every teacher's hands
How to request data in writing and what to do when the district will not provide it (34 CFR 300.613)
Records after graduation: what to request and how long districts keep them
Karen announces a press conference June 17 at 6:00 PM at Bellaire High School regarding Houston ISD's plan to consolidate self-contained programs

Resources mentioned:

The Epic IEP, The Epic IEP: PARA, and the Epic IEP Federal and State law book - available in the shop and where books are sold
The Epic IEP Workbook - releasing in approximately two weeks
The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive - live virtual August 22-23, 2026
The Epic Educator Academy - Mondays at 7:00 PM Central, for school-based educators only, 27 dollars a month
Special Education Academy - free for the first month, training every Monday at 8:00 PM Central

You don't know what you don't know - but you need to.

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. - Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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EP Minutes, Comp Services, ESY & Retention — Ask the Advocate LIVE

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Were you ever actually trained on what you are expected to do at the IEP table? Most parents, advocates, and educators were not — and that is exactly why we sit at the table prepared.

In this live Ask the Advocate session, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers more than 50 real questions straight from the audience. No scripts, no fluff — just clear, practical answers on the things you are responsible for but were never taught.

WHAT WE COVER

→ How to set up next school year before summer ends — including the "Zach Pack" every educator should get on day one
→ Who is actually allowed to deliver special education minutes, and why "two years below grade level" does not change that
→ Paraprofessionals, one-on-one supports, and communication partners for SGD users
→ Accommodations written from a student's characteristics — not their eligibility label
→ Compensatory services when minutes are missed, and how to calculate frequency, duration, and location
→ The two prongs of Extended School Year (ESY)
→ Prior written notice that will not get corrected, and the seven required components
→ Independent educational evaluations (IEEs): data, summary, and conclusion
→ Transition planning and postsecondary success
→ Filing complaints that are actually effective
→ Inclusion versus proximity — and why they are not the same thing

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome — we made it through the school year
01:30 Tonight we launch The Epic Educator Academy
02:30 Summer planning: what parents should be thinking about
04:00 The Zach Pack: prepping every educator for day one
06:00 One-on-one paras, communication partners, and SGDs
07:00 Stopping cookie-cutter accommodations
08:30 Calling the dean, field trips, and para coverage
11:00 Service minutes and who can deliver them
13:00 Manifestation determinations: the two questions
14:30 New special education director: where to start
16:00 Missed in-class support: calculate the minutes
17:30 Taking better data and present levels that do not match
19:00 IEP goal criteria and disagreements
22:00 Retention: should you hold your child back?
24:00 Compensatory services and missed minutes
26:00 ESY: the two prongs
27:00 Progress reports you never received
29:00 Prior written notice that will not get corrected
30:00 IEEs: data, summary, conclusion
34:00 Transition planning and postsecondary
36:00 Filing complaints that actually work
39:00 Monitoring accommodations and inclusion supports
44:00 How service frequencies are set
48:00 "Two years below grade level": who delivers SDI
52:00 Parent concerns and your right to be heard
53:00 Who belongs at the IEP table
55:00 Inclusion versus proximity
58:00 Continuum of placements: a senior moved to all gen ed
59:30 Closing

This is educational training, not legal advice. We educate everyone at the IEP and 504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

WANT MORE

Educators — The Epic Educator Academy is live training every Monday at 7:00 PM Central, built for school-based staff. $27/month, cancel anytime: specialeducationacademy.com/educator
Parents and advocates — join Special Education Academy for 250+ hours of training, updated weekly: specialeducationacademy.com/training
Get the books: The Epic IEP, The Epic IEP: PARA, and The Epic IEP Guide to Federal and State Law for Special Education, wherever books are sold.

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone. — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
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She Knew Something Was Wrong. She Was Right. | Mia's Story | Special Education Boss®

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Sarah Harter trusted her gut for two years before anyone believed her. Her daughter Mia survived brain surgery at age two and has been defying expectations ever since. This is their story — and the resources that helped them get here.

Some episodes stay with you.

This is one of them.

Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Sarah Harter - mom, anesthetist, and one of the most determined advocates her daughter Mia has ever had - to share a story that is honest, hard, and ultimately full of hope.

Mia was born five weeks early. For two years, Sarah brought her concerns to doctor after doctor. She was told she was being a worried first-time mom. She kept showing up anyway. She was right.

At two years old, Mia was diagnosed with a brain tumor the size of a baseball. Five months after a 17-hour surgery, she started school. And the systems that were supposed to support her - medical and educational - both had to be pushed before they showed up the way she needed them to.

But this is not a story about what went wrong. It is a story about a family that refused to stop fighting - and the extraordinary things that happen when you do.

In this episode, Sarah and Karen talk honestly about:

- What it is like to be dismissed for years and then told your instincts were right all along
- How Mia went from not being able to walk after surgery to dancing on a team
- The difference between maintenance therapy and intensive therapy - and why that difference changed Mia's life
- What the school system got wrong about LRE and what the family did about it
- MNRI, vision therapy, NUCCA, and approaches that helped when standard care reached its limit
- What families of medically complex children are almost never told about related services
- Lighthouse Family Retreat - and why Sarah's family keeps going back to volunteer
- American Printing House for the Blind, free audiobooks for life, and resources too few families ever find

You do not need to have a child with a brain tumor to hear yourself in this conversation. If you have ever known something was wrong, and been told you were imagining it - this one is for you.

Resources:
Lighthouse Family Retreat: lighthousefamilyretreat.org
American Printing House for the Blind: aph.org
American Federation for the Blind: afb.org
Special Education Academy: specialeducationacademy.com
Epic IEP Book Bundle: theepiciep.com
Email Karen's team: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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IEP Questions Parents Are Asking Right Now: Paras, Placement, Progress & Support

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500

What happens when your child has an IEP but still isn’t getting the support they need?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates about the everyday issues showing up at IEP and 504 tables right now.

This rapid-fire Q&A covers some of the most common — and most frustrating — special education concerns families are facing, including transportation, one-on-one paraprofessionals, behavior support, progress data, related services, accommodations, private school questions, eligibility, bullying, and what to do when the IEP does not match what was discussed in the meeting.

Karen also shares an update about the launch of the Epic Educator Academy™, created specifically for school-based members who need support, resources, training, and practical tools to better serve students.

In this episode, Karen discusses:

• Whether IEPs and 504s apply to afterschool programs
• Who decides if a student receives special education transportation
• What to do when Prior Written Notice is missing important information
• Whether private schools are required to follow IDEA
• When a one-on-one paraprofessional may or may not be appropriate
• How academic deficits differ from para support needs
• What to ask when accommodations are not being followed
• How healthcare plans connect to IEPs and 504s
• Toileting, hygiene, and personal care goals
• What to do when agreed-upon IEP items are missing from the final document
• Behavior Intervention Plans, FBAs, elopement, and replacement behaviors
• What to ask when related services have been missed
• How to address bullying involving a student with autism
• Why data should drive IEP decisions
• The upcoming Epic Educator Academy for school-based staff

This episode is a reminder that every IEP decision should come back to the student’s actual needs, the data, the implementation of services, and whether the plan is helping the child make meaningful progress.

We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.

Join The Academy

Inside The Academy, you’ll find 250+ hours of special education training, weekly support, and practical education for parents, advocates, and professionals who want to sit at the IEP and 504 table prepared.

Get Karen’s book, The Epic IEP

If this episode helped you, please follow, like, share, and subscribe so more families, advocates, and educators can learn how to navigate the IEP and 504 process with clarity and confidence.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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Prior Written Notice, ESY, Dyslexia Evaluations & What to Do When Districts Break the Law | Ask the Advocate | Special Education Boss

Thu, 14 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500

It is the last full week of IEP meetings and Karen Mayer Cunningham is answering your live questions - and none of the answers are soft. This is a fast-moving Ask the Advocate session covering some of the most important questions in special education right now.

Plus - big announcements. The Epic Educator Academy launches June 1st at 7PM Central. The Two-Day Advocacy Intensive is live in Lexington, Kentucky on May 30th and 31st. And the Epic IEP workbook is almost done.

Questions answered in this episode:

- What happens after a school district violates a mediated agreement? (Hint: it involves going back to the state and possibly a press conference.)

- What is a prior written notice and what are the seven legal components? (Also: N/A is never an acceptable answer on a federal document.)

- What is the difference between dyslexia and an SLD evaluation? (Stop asking for a dyslexia evaluation. Here is what to ask for instead.)

- What are the two criteria required for ESY? (You do not get ESY. You require it.)

- My child's IEP was left vague on purpose. Is that legal? (No. It is a legal document. It must be specific. Full stop.)

- What triggers out of district placement? What is therapeutic placement?

- Can a school district delay an evaluation until next year? (No. 15 days to respond. Period.)

- What is predetermination and how do you put it in the record?

- Who is responsible for writing modifications - general ed or special ed? (Special ed. Always.)

- What do you do when a district violates a compensatory services agreement?

- Can a school legally skip implementing an IEP for virtual school students?

Resources:
Special Education Academy: specialeducationacademy.com
Epic IEP Book Bundle: theepiciep.com
Epic Educator Academy (June 1): specialeducationacademy.com/training
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Karen Mayer Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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Behavior Is Communication: Trauma-Informed Strategies for Special Education Teams

Thu, 07 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Behavior is not just a choice. It is communication, capacity, nervous system response, and often a reflection of the support a child has — or has not — received.

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, Karen sits down with Rick and Doris Bowman of Bowman Consulting Group for a deeply important conversation about behavior, trauma-informed support, nervous system regulation, and what schools must understand when working with students who have big behavioral needs.

Rick and Doris bring decades of experience in education, mental health, behavior support, collaborative problem solving, trauma-informed practices, and neuroscience-aligned interventions. Together, they unpack why traditional behavior systems often fail, why consequences alone do not create durable change, and why adults must understand what is happening beneath the behavior.

This conversation challenges the idea that children are simply “choosing” to misbehave. Instead, Karen, Rick, and Doris talk about regulation, skill-building, identity, shame, failure, teacher fear, and the critical role adults play in helping students access their thinking brain and build new pathways for success.

Learn more about Rick and Doris Bowman: Bowman Consulting Group

Want more training on IEPs, 504s, FBAs, behavior support, procedural safeguards, evaluations, eligibility, prior written notice, and special education advocacy?

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe so more parents, educators, and advocates can learn how to sit at the table prepared.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Special Ed Teachers Need You to Know | Chana Dixon & Karen Mayer Cunningham | Special Education Boss

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Nobody prepared you for what it actually feels like to sit across from a teacher in an IEP meeting. And nobody prepared that teacher for what it feels like when you walk in.

Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss, sits down with Chana Dixon - special education supervisor with 23 years in the field - for one of the most honest conversations in special education. This is not about paperwork. This is about people.

In this episode:

- Why special educators are on an island. In most schools, special ed teachers are the minority. They have no peers to collaborate with, no one to bounce ideas off, and the only time they interact with the broader team is at IEP meetings - which are already stressful for everyone.

- The IEP meeting is also an evaluation of the teacher. When you are reviewing a document of deficits, you are also evaluating the person who wrote it. Chana breaks down why teachers feel attacked even when no attack is intended.

- How to communicate in an IEP meeting without making teachers feel blamed. Chana's reframe: instead of asking why a student is not learning a skill, ask the teacher to show you how that student needs to learn it. That one shift changes everything.

- Why professional development for special educators is almost entirely compliance-based. It is not about filling teachers up. It is about making sure they did not miss a checkbox.

- Why teachers stay. It is not the money. It is the kids. Period.

- The Epic IEP Academy for Educators is coming in June. Karen and Chana are co-leading a space built specifically for special educators - a community, a training ground, and a place where educators are finally seen.

Resources:
Special Education Academy: specialeducationacademy.com
Epic IEP Book Bundle: theepiciep.com
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Karen Mayer Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. Her mission: get it right for the child, get it right for everybody.

Subscribe for live Ask the Advocate sessions every Monday at 8PM inside the Special Education Academy.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 They Drop the IEP by Phone? Remove Kids on Test Day? Skip Resource? No, No, and No.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Can a teacher call you on the phone and ask if you want to drop your IEP and go to a 504? Can the school relocate self-contained students because they are too loud during state testing? Can your principal tell you the campus does not have resource?

No. No. And absolutely not.

HERE'S WHAT KAREN COVERS:

→ Why resource rooms are required under IDEA 300.115 and what to do if your school says they eliminated resource
→ The two MDR questions both must be answered — and what happens when the school tries to skip the second one
→ Compensatory services explained — who owes the time, who serves the time, and how to structure it
→ Relocating self-contained students on state testing days is illegal — that is an out-of-placement violation
→ Educational need vs. academic need — why a disability does not have to affect academics to qualify for services
→ Dysgraphia vs. written expression — why the eligibility matters more than the label
→ The Epic IEP Educator Academy launches June 1st — $27 per month, Monday nights at 7 PM Central, solely for school district employees
→ Can IEP students receive failing grades? Can kindergartners be placed in self-contained for behaviors? What is the difference between logs and data?

You don't know what you don't know — but you need to.
This is why we sit at the table prepared.

GET THE EPIC IEP BOOK BUNDLE — including the Epic IEP, the Federal and State Laws Guide, and the Epic IEP Para.

JOIN SPECIAL EDUCATION ACADEMY — first month free, 400+ hours of training, live every Monday at 8 PM Central.

2-DAY LIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCACY INTENSIVE — May 23 and 24

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Procedural Safeguards, Child Find, Prior Written Notice, and Parent Rights in Special Education

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

In this live Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates about some of the biggest special education issues showing up right now.

From dyslexia tools and ADHD support to paraprofessional roles, raw data, ESY, reading levels, 18–21 transition services, and IEP service minutes, this conversation is packed with practical insight to help you show up more prepared at the table.

In this episode, Karen covers:

✨ Tools that may support students with dyslexia, including Learning Ally and Kurzweil
✨ Whether behavior services can be provided under SLD eligibility
✨ What paraprofessionals can and cannot do in special education settings
✨ What “raw data” means and why families ask for it
✨ How to think about reading levels, progress monitoring, and instructional need
✨ What ESY means and the two-part question teams should be asking
✨ Questions around transition services, 18–21 programming, and community readiness
✨ How educators can document concerns when students need more support than general education can provide

Karen also shares updates on new resources, including The Epic IEP™ Para, The Epic IEP™ Guide to Federal and State Laws, and what’s coming next for educators inside the Special Education Academy community.

Resources + Next Steps

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy here.

Explore Karen’s trainings, books, and resources, here.

Be sure to follow, like, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Special Education Boss®.

Important Reminder

We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 a Paraprofessional replace a special educatin teacher?

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Can a paraprofessional replace a special education teacher in the classroom? What tools actually help kids with dyslexia? And what is ESY — really?

In this LIVE Q&A, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, advocates, and educators about the issues showing up in IEP meetings right now, with 35 days left in the school year.

Here's what Karen covers:

→ What paraprofessionals can and cannot do under NCLB and ESSA — and why the new Epic IEP Para book changes the conversation

→ The best assistive technology tools for students with dyslexia: Learning Ally and Kurzweil

→ How to handle homework battles when your ADHD student is failing — and what data to bring to the IEP meeting

→ What "raw data" actually means and how to ask for it

→ How to do a 3-minute cold read and a 3-minute cold write to find your child's real reading level

→ The two-prong ESY question most schools only half-answer

→ Why consult minutes are not the same as direct services

→ What to know before you file due process

→ LRE is not a location — it's a consideration

→ The 18-to-21 transition program and vocational readiness

→ NEW: The Epic IEP Educator Academy launches June 1st — weekly training built specifically for school district employees

You don't know what you don't know — but you need to.

This is why we sit at the table prepared.

📚 Get the Epic IEP book bundle, including the brand-new Epic IEP Para guide

🎓 Join Special Education Academy, first month free, 400+ hours of training, live every Monday at 8 PM Central.

📅 2-Day Live Virtual Special Education Advocacy Intensive: May 23–24

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

The Para Problem: What Every Parent and Advocate Needs to Know Right Now

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Can a paraprofessional deliver specially designed instruction? What are the paraprofessional laws in your state? And what happens when a school district admits — in writing — that no certified special educator has been in the classroom all year?

In this episode of the Special Education Boss® podcast, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down a real IEP meeting in Texas where the district's own deliberations confirmed that a general education teacher delivered the specially designed instruction and a paraprofessional collected IEP goal data — with no special educator involved. All year. In Houston. On the record.

Karen walks through what federal law actually requires, what your state statute says, and why "district guidance" that contradicts IDEA is not guidance — it's a violation.

What you'll learn in this episode:

— Can a paraprofessional implement IEP goals? Only under three conditions: direct supervision, close proximity, and frequent contact from a certified special educator.

— What is the continuum of alternative placements? It's federal law under IDEA — not a suggestion your district gets to edit. Resource rooms, special classes, home instruction, and hospital settings are all required options.

— What is Andrew F. v. Douglas County School District? The 2017 Supreme Court decision that unanimously ruled schools must write IEPs that enable students to make progress appropriate in light of their circumstances. Ask your principal when the district-wide training on this case is scheduled.

— What are the seven components of Prior Written Notice? All seven are legally required. N/A is not an option.

— Who can modify assignments in special education? Not a paraprofessional. Not a general education teacher. Only a certified special educator.

— What are paraprofessional requirements under ESSA and No Child Left Behind? The Epic IEP Para book covers every state's statute, federal requirements, and what paraprofessionals legally cannot do.

This episode references special education law and practice in Texas, California, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York.

Karen also announces the brand-new Epic IEP Para book, now available on Amazon, covering federal law, No Child Left Behind, ESSA, and every state's statute on paraprofessional requirements.

Plus: The Special Education Academy is now approved for continuing education hours in Texas and Kentucky. The 2-Day LIVE In-Person Special Education Advocacy Intensive counts for 10 CPE hours in Texas and 10 EILA hours in Kentucky.

You don't know what you don't know — but you need to.

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy — your first month is free

Get the Epic IEP Para book on Amazon now.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Paras, Pain Plans & the Truth Nobody Told You | Ask the Advocate

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0500

If someone at your school said it was fine without showing you the law - it probably was not fine.

Karen Mayor Cunningham answers your live questions on this Ask the Advocate session of Special Education Boss. She brought the federal statutes, the DSM-5, and zero patience for made-up rules.

In this episode:

- The brand-new Epic IEP Para book: all 50 states, all federal laws from 1965 to 2015, everything you need to know about what paras can and cannot legally do.
- AAC rights: what to do when your child's communication device is removed without your knowledge.
- Autism eligibility: no, a child does not need to flap their hands to qualify. Karen walks through the actual DSM-5 criteria.
- 504 vs. IEP: why accommodations alone may not be enough, and how a 504 can be amended without ever notifying the parent.
- Self-contained classrooms: why Karen believes cameras should be required in every single one.
- Plus: paras left alone with students, one-to-one support, eloping, chronic pain, ADHD and IEP eligibility, modified testing, and more.

Resources:
theepiciep.com/para (NEW Epic IEP Para book)
theepiciep.com (book bundle)
specialeducationacademy.com
advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Karen Mayor Cunningham is the Special Education Boss - advocate, trainer, and bestselling author of the Epic IEP book series. Her mission: get it right for the child, get it right for everybody.

Subscribe for live Ask the Advocate sessions every Monday at 8 PM inside the Special Education Academy™.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Struggle to Strength: ADHD, Dyslexia & Real-World Success

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0500

What happens when a student with ADHD and dyslexia doesn’t get boxed in—but instead learns how to push forward anyway?

In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Sean Foley to talk about what it really looks like to grow up with learning differences—and why success isn’t about labels, it’s about strategy, support, and resilience.

In This Episode:

Sean shares his journey navigating ADHD, dyslexia, and academic challenges—from early testing and accommodations to earning his MBA and building a successful career in sales and leadership.

Together, Karen and Sean break down what worked, what didn’t, and what parents, educators, and advocates need to understand right now.

You’ll Learn:

✨ The difference between accommodations and true support
✨ Why labels like ADHD can help—or hurt—depending on how they’re used
✨ The role of grit, repetition, and confidence in long-term success
✨ Why standardized testing doesn’t define intelligence or potential
✨ How early intervention (and the right mindset) changes everything
✨ The importance of personal development beyond the classroom

Key Takeaway:

Not every child learns the same—and that’s not a weakness. It’s a different pathway that requires awareness, strategy, and support.

Do you know your rights?
You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.

Connect with Sean Foley:
Instagram: @seanmfoley_
LinkedIn: Sean Foley (Scottsdale, AZ)

Ready to go deeper?

Join The Epic IEP Academy, attend the 2-day Intensive, train On-Demand, or join us for the Mastermind. We have training for everyone who sits at the table.

Explore more episodes on Buzzsprout and YouTube
Follow, like, share, and subscribe to stay informed and prepared

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Vision Impairment in Special Education, What Parents and IEP Teams Must Know

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:00:00 -0500

Most people sitting at an IEP table understand autism, dyslexia, and speech services.

But when a student with a visual impairment enters the conversation, many teams suddenly realize something important…

They don’t actually know how vision services work.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Abel Perez, CEO, from Ready Sight Go, a Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CTVI) and Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M).

Together, they unpack one of the most misunderstood disability areas in special education, vision impairment.

Abel shares his personal story of growing up with a learning disability, dropping out of high school, and eventually discovering how access, accommodations, and proper support can completely change a student’s future.

This conversation dives deep into:

✨ How visual impairments affect learning and independence
✨ Why accommodations are about access , not advantage
✨ The role of Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs)
✨ What the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) means for blind and visually impaired students
✨ Why behavior issues are often actually access issues

If you sit at an IEP or 504 table, parent, educator, administrator, or advocate, this episode will help you better understand what real access looks like for students with visual impairments.

Connect with Abel, Ready Sight Go, https://readysightgo.com

Want to Learn More About IEP Advocacy?

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy for weekly trainings and step-by-step guidance on navigating special education. https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Questions Parents Are Asking Right Now

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0600

Ask the Advocate | Real IEP Questions from Parents and Educators

Parents, teachers, and advocates ask hundreds of questions every week about special education. In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions submitted during a live TikTok session about IEP meetings, services, evaluations, and advocacy.

Topics include what to do when a student is not receiving services listed in the IEP, how Extended School Year (ESY)eligibility works, when compensatory services may be appropriate, and how parents can advocate effectively when schools are not implementing supports.

Karen also shares practical strategies for asking better questions in IEP meetings, understanding Prior Written Notice (PWN), and navigating conversations with school teams.

Karen Mayer Cunningham, also known as the Special Education Boss®, trains parents, educators, and advocates to understand the special education system and advocate successfully for students with disabilities.

You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.

Key Questions Answered in This Episode

• What should parents do if an IEP is not being implemented?
• When does a child qualify for Extended School Year (ESY)?
• Can schools reduce services without data?
• How do you become a special education advocate?
• What role do paraprofessionals play in special education?

Resources Mentioned

Join The Epic IEP™ Academy
Attend the 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive
Get the book The Epic IEP™

We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Classroom to Advocate: What Schools Do When You Bring an Advocate to the IEP Table

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 10:00:00 -0600

What really happens when an advocate walks into an IEP meeting?

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Paige Fitzgerald and Kate Magaldi, former special educators turned full-time advocates and founders of Inclusive Educational Practices.

Together, they pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes when an advocate is present at the IEP table—and why outcomes shift when someone trained in special education advocacy enters the room.

They share:

✨ Why schools often react differently when an advocate attends
✨ What teachers are (and aren’t) trained to understand about IDEA
✨ Why parents often know something is wrong—but need help articulating it
✨ The difference between combative advocacy and collaborative leadership
✨ Why relationships—not intimidation—create long-term change

This conversation is honest, practical, and encouraging for:

Parents navigating difficult IEP meetings
Educators who want to do special education better
Anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed at the IEP table

📲 Download the Special Education Academy app
📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP™

🎓 Join The Academy

Connect with Kate and Paige:

www.iepractices.com

Instagram: IEPractices

TikTok: @advocatekate

TikTok: @advocatepaige

Their Weekly Newsletter

Listen, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Implementation, ESY & Compensatory Services | Ask the Advocate LIVE

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

Guess who’s back?

In this Ask the Advocate live session, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers rapid-fire questions from families and educators about:

IEP implementation failures
Paraprofessional layoffs and 1:1 support
Extended School Year (ESY) eligibility
Compensatory services
Due process documentation
Placement vs. eligibility
Resource classroom requirements
Endrew F. and the FAPE standard
Evaluation delays and what to do next

This episode is real talk from someone who has represented families all the way through dispute resolution—and trained thousands to sit at the table prepared.

📚 Resources Mentioned

📘 The Epic IEP™
🎓 Join The Academy

🟢 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live Virtual)
March 7–8 | 9 AM–5 PM CST

⚖️ We are not giving legal advice. We are educating you.

Do you know your rights?

You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

RTI Is NOT a Gatekeeper + Why Schools Can’t Delay Evaluations (Live Q&A Fire)

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

Guess who’s back?

Fresh off the inaugural Epic IEP™ World Book Tour — eight stops in five days, professional developments, book signings, and hundreds of powerful conversations — Karen is back answering your biggest special education questions in real time.

And this one is packed.

From RTI misuse and delayed evaluations…
To schools sending kids home for behavior…
To missing related service minutes…
To paraprofessionals not being allowed to see the IEP (yes, that happened)…

We are breaking it down.

✨ In This Episode, Karen Covers:

Why RTI, MTSS, and tier systems cannot delay a special education evaluation
The truth about 504 Plans vs IEPs (and yes… follow the money)
How to request data (and what federal law says about access)
Why paraprofessionals must have access to the IEP
How to respond when a district drags its feet

If you’re feeling defeated, overwhelmed, or talked down to at the table — this episode is your reset.

You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.

📚 Get The Epic IEP™ | Available wherever books are sold
If the book has helped you, please leave a review. It helps other families find it.

🎓 Join The Academy (First Month Free)

Over 400+ hours of archived trainings and weekly live coaching:

🎟️ Upcoming Trainings

2-Day LIVE Virtual Intensive: March 7–8
2-Day LIVE In-Person Intensive: May 30–31 | Lexington, Kentucky

Limited seating.

We 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 everyone.
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From 504s to One-on-Ones: Real Talk from the IEP Table | Special Education Boss®

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

“Data doesn’t have feelings. It has evidence.”

In this high-energy TikTok Live replay, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives headfirst into real-time questions from parents, teachers, and advocates navigating the special education process.

Karen brings clarity, humor, and decades of experience to the conversation — reminding us that preparation beats panic every time.

✨ In This Episode, We Cover:

The difference between a 504 Plan and an IEP (and why it matters)
When a one-on-one paraprofessional is appropriate — and when it’s not
Can you record an IEP meeting? (Know your state rights.)
When suspension triggers an MDR
How to think through behavior plans (FBA vs. BIP)

Karen also shares exciting updates on:

📘 The Epic IEP™ (USA Today National Bestseller)
📕 The upcoming Epic IEP™ Federal & State Law Guide
📗 The soon-to-release Epic IEP™ Paraprofessional Handbook
🎓 The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Live + On-Demand)
👩‍🏫 The Mastermind for future advocates

🚀 Ready to Go Deeper?

Join The Academy (first month free):

You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.

📚 Grab Your Copy of The Epic IEP™

🎧 Listen. Subscribe. Share.

If this episode helped you, share it with a parent, educator, or advocate who needs to hear it.

Because when we sit at the table prepared, outcomes change.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Meetings, Procedural Safeguards & What Schools Don’t Want to Put in Writing | Ask the Advocate

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600

In this Ask the Advocate episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates navigating complex IEP issues — from unfinished Monday meetings to missing data, procedural safeguards, graduation pathways, and transition services.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why IEP meetings so often stall — and what must happen before they continue
The difference between a diploma vs. certificate of attendance
How procedural safeguards actually work (and how to invoke them)
What to do when schools claim a child was “overserved” — without data
Why homework cannot count as special education services
What meaningful transition services should look like (and what doesn’t count)

Karen also shares updates on The Epic IEP™ book, upcoming trainings, the national book tour, and how educators can transition into advocacy work with the right training and support.

You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to.
This episode helps you walk into IEP and 504 meetings informed, confident, and prepared.

🎓 Join The Academy

Get access to 250+ hours of training, weekly coaching, and step-by-step guidance: https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/

📘 Get the #1 Bestseller

The Epic IEP™: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates
👉 https://amzn.to/3Ll0Dos

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Compensatory Services, Eligibility Traps, IEP Teams & School Pushback

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0600

In this Ask the Advocate episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates navigating complex IEP situations — from compensatory services and eligibility decisions to attendance struggles, team makeup, and school-based pushback.

This episode is a powerful reminder that IEPs are legal documents, teams are equal stakeholders, and schools do not get to reduce or redefine federal rights.

In this episode, Karen covers:

When compensatory services are appropriate, and why “closing gaps” is the wrong goal
Why eligibility decisions matter — and how mislabeling harms services
What to do when districts push students from an IEP to a 504
Required members of an IEP committee (and what happens if someone leaves early)
Attendance concerns, OCD, and capturing all student needs in the IEP
Why some placements, pull-outs, and group decisions may be segregation, not support
The difference between collaboration and schools acting as the “IEP referee.”
How to think long-term about post-secondary outcomes, independence, and adult life

Karen also shares updates on The Epic IEP book, upcoming book tour stops, professional development trainings, and what’s next inside The Academy.

👉 Join The Epic IEP™Academy:
[https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/]

📘 Get The Epic IEP:
Available wherever books are sold.

🎧 Subscribe, follow, and share this episode with anyone who sits at an IEP or 504 table.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

“Paras Can’t Take Data”? Let’s Finish the Sentence. | Ask the Advocate

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0600

Today’s Ask the Advocate starts with a celebration—The Epic IEP is officially hitting hands soon—and then we go straight into a question that’s blowing up in schools everywhere:

Can paraprofessionals take data and deliver instruction when the teacher isn’t in the room?
Let’s finish the clip, finish the sentence, and finish the confusion.

Karen breaks down what “direct supervision” is actually tied to, why so many teams are unintentionally setting paras (and kids) up for failure, and what to do when the “this is how we’ve always done it” logic doesn’t match the written requirements.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why software-driven IEPs are not the same as student-driven IEPs
The 3-part “direct supervision” conversation Karen uses at the table
What to ask your admin (without lighting yourself on fire)
What to do when an IEP isn’t scheduled on time
Why you don’t remove services because an adult/student pairing isn’t working—you fix the delivery
How to think through program changes (including autism programs) based on educational need
Real talk on 504 meetings, “accommodations culture,” and why training matters

📘 Get The Epic IEP (Official Amazon link):
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

🎁 Pre-order bonuses + updates:
Head to TheEpicIEP.com (bonuses may include access to special virtual training events).

📍Kentucky Book Tour (first stops):

Barnes & Noble Author Event — Thursday, Feb 12, 2026 (5:00 PM ET)
(Additional Louisville/Lexington dates are being coordinated—watch for the finalized store-by-store schedule.)

✅ Join The Academy (community + training):
https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

When Schools Say “No”: AAC Updates, Triennials, Toileting Support, and Your IEP Rights (Q&A)

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0600

Did your IEP team say “we don’t have staff,” “we’ll just do a records review,” or “they don’t qualify because grades are fine”?

In this rapid-fire Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham (THE SPECIAL EDUCATION BOSS®) goes rogue and answers real questions from parents, educators, and advocates about what’s happening in schools right now—from missing AAC subscriptions to paras being left to “teach” SPED classes.

In this episode, we cover:

AAC devices + access: what to do when the school won’t update subscriptions
Paraprofessionals: what they can do—and what they legally cannot do
Triennials + “records review”: what’s required and when to push for testing
Toileting support: functional needs during the instructional day are not optional
Behavior + safety: when out-of-district placement becomes a real consideration

Want your questions answered live? Join The Academy (your first month is FREE).
We train every Monday night on federal requirements, then we open up for Q&A—because you have questions every week, and this is why we sit at the table prepared.

✅ Join The Academy: https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/theepiciep-courses/the-academy/

🎧 Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout + YouTube
📘 Get The Epic IEP (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Book Tour / Host a Training Location
Interested in hosting Karen for a district, school, nonprofit, university, or community training?
Email: angie@specialeducationlifeline.com
Text: 606-776-3175

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Stop Playing the “Draft IEP” Game + Why Paras Can’t Replace Certified SPED Minutes

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600

We’re back to school, and I’m not easing into anything. If your district is only giving parents “part of the draft,” if services are being missed because of staffing, or if someone is trying to use paraprofessionals to “cover” certified special education minutes—this episode is for you.

Tonight we cover what teams are required to do, what’s simply “district preference,” and the fastest way to bring meetings back to what they’re supposed to be: an efficient business meeting that protects student outcomes.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why giving parents only “part of the draft” is a red flag (and a bad long game)
The truth about accountability: we’re not battling teachers—we’re holding districts responsible
What the federal rules actually say about paraprofessionals (direct supervision, close proximity, frequent contact)
What to do when your district “doesn’t have” a provider (and why compensatory services matter)
When behavior rises above what general ed can support (hello, BIP)
Tools I love for struggling readers: Learning Ally and Kurzweil

Want weekly training with us? Join the EPIC IEP Academy (Mondays) — your first month is FREE.
Go to: Special Education Academy → Training → EPIC IEP Academy
Use coupon code: NewYear2026 (New + Year capitalized)

Get the book (The EPIC IEP) on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Interested in hosting a stop on the EPIC IEP Book Tour (2026)?
Email: angie@specialeducationlifeline.com

We’re educating you so you can show up prepared at the IEP/504 table.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Behavior Is Communication: Safety, Structure & Relationship with John Vergara

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

What if we stopped calling kids “difficult”… and started getting honest about what difficult behavior is really communicating?

In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with John Vergara (aka The Difficult Student) — an assistant principal over special education and one of the most impactful voices online when it comes to behavior, leadership, and building classroom culture that actually works.

John shares his personal story — from being the student with challenging behavior to becoming a leader supporting teachers, paraprofessionals, and IEP teams across two schools. This conversation is real, practical, and grounded in what helps kids and protects learning for everyone in the room.

✨ What You’ll Learn

Why John says “the student is good — it’s the behavior we work on”
The 3-part foundation: safety → love → self-esteem
Why structure and procedures are not “strict”… they’re support
A simple mindset shift that changes everything for teachers in hard environments

Resources + Links

✅ Join The Academy (Skool Community): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✅ Get Karen’s book The Epic IEP (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Find John Vergara (The Difficult Student)

Instagram / TikTok: @thedifficultstudent
Podcast: The Difficult Student Podcast (Spotify / Apple / YouTube)

If this episode helped you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a teacher, parent, or advocate who needs it.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Recording IEP Meetings, Paras, Inclusion, FAPE & Out-of-District Placement

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

This week’s Ask the Advocate is a fast-paced Q&A covering what parents and educators are dealing with right now: staffing shortages, messy “tier” conversations, behavior needs being dismissed, and districts trying to move too fast (or stall completely) when the child needs support.

🧑‍🏫 Staffing, Paras, and “Who’s Allowed to Do What”

Sub paras placed in self-contained/tier settings with no training—what to say and who to alert
Can students be left alone with high school helpers?
Can a short-term/long-term sub run a self-contained classroom for consecutive years?

📚 IEP Process, Documentation, and Data

PWN: getting the denial in writing and why it matters
Why Karen doesn’t want “service logs”—she wants raw data collection sheets tied to IEP goals

🚨 Behavior, Safety, and FAPE

“IEPs are only for academics” — absolutely not
Elopement: when the BIP isn’t working, you need a new FBA/BIP and stronger supports

🏫 Inclusion and Continuum of Placement

“Inclusion only” with no pull-out/self-contained options = denial of the continuum
Out-of-district placement: what documentation and patterns matter, and when it becomes urgent

Links & Resources

📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP + claim bonuses:
Order on Amazon (or anywhere you buy books), then submit your receipt at theepiciep.com
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Bonuses: https://www.theepiciep.com

🌐 Special Education Academy: https://www.specialeducationacademy.com

📩 Want to host a book tour training stop? Use the intake form on the website to get connected.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Truancy, One-to-One Aides, LRE, and The Epic IEP Book

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, answers rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and advocates—and shares how her new book, The Epic IEP, gives you a clear roadmap to write and understand an IEP that actually serves the child.

Karen and Cindy dig into real situations from the IEP/504 table, including:

The Epic IEP & Pre-Order Bonuses – How the 7-part framework walks you through an IEP step by step, plus how to pre-order the book and unlock $500 in bonuses and group bundles for schools, agencies, and parent organizations.
LRE, Placement & Services – Moving from early childhood services into life skills, what Least Restrictive Environment really means, and how to know if your child’s needs are being met.
Paras, One-to-One Aides & Staffing – Whether a para can be alone with a student, if a teacher can leave all IEP minutes to a para, and why the phrase “special education para” is misleading.
Behavior, Safety, Truancy & FAPE – When sending students home becomes a denial of FAPE, what to do if your child is hurt, restrained, or you only see part of a video, and how to respond when schools stop communicating.
The Epic IEP Weekly Academy – weekly training on federal law, IEPs, and live Q&A
The Epic IEP 2-Day Intensive – live and on-demand deep-dive training

📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP + bonuses:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Submit your receipt for bonuses: https://www.theepiciep.com
🏫 Learn with Karen weekly inside The Academy:
https://www.specialeducationacademy.com
📩 Host Karen in your state:
Email advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Data, 504 vs IEP, Behavior, RTI, and Comp Time Q&A

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

What do you do when the school’s “data” makes no sense, your child is stuck on a 504 instead of an IEP, or behavior is being blamed on your student instead of addressed in the plan? In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, is answering rapid-fire questions from parents, teachers, and paras who are in the thick of it every day.

All with humor, straight talk, and a whole lot of “you’re not crazy for asking.”

📚 The Epic IEP™ – Pre-Order + Bonuses

Karen’s new book, The Epic IEP, releases next month! When you pre-order, you can come back and claim $500+ in bonuses.

👉 Order the book here:
Official Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

👉 Then claim your bonuses:
Visit TheEpicIEP.com and submit your information to unlock your pre-order bonuses.

🎓 Train with Karen & Special Education Academy

Ready for deeper training and community?

Join The Academy (Skool community)
Weekly live trainings, 250+ hours of replays, and practical tools for parents, paras, educators, and advocates.
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Need support at the table?
Complete the intake form at SpecialEducationAcademy.com, and our team will connect you with a trained advocate partner.

Like, follow, share, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Send this to a parent, para, or teacher who needs backup at the IEP/504 table.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Cold Reads Don’t Lie: An Epic IEP Story Every Parent Needs to Hear

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Today’s episode of The Epic IEP™ is a little bit longer — but you’re going to want to hear this. Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, shares a real IEP meeting where the school’s data didn’t match what the student could actually do at home. And the difference wasn’t small.

Karen walks through why she always brings her own data to the table — three cold reads, two cold writes, and a clear picture of the child’s real baseline. When the school claimed the student was reading 80 words correct per minute on a Level Q, the home data told a very different story: repeated errors, constant self-corrections, and a much lower true accuracy rate.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
• Use home cold reads to verify (or challenge) school data
• Identify inflated reading levels using clean accuracy percentages
• Share video evidence in the meeting to clarify present levels
• Respond when staff say “we don’t take off for errors”
• Bring the conversation back to needs, baselines, and appropriate goals
• Reset the meeting when the data doesn’t match reality

Karen reminds parents and advocates that a child’s needs don’t disappear when they walk into the school building. If it’s a need on Saturday, it’s a need at school. The goal is always the same: find the real baseline so the team can write IEP goals that enable the student to make progress appropriate in light of their circumstances.

📘 Get The Epic IEP (official Amazon link):
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

👉 Join The Academy:
250+ hours of training and weekly coaching
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

When Vision Minutes Go Wrong: How to Use Data to Fix an Epic IEP

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Today’s episode of The Epic IEP™ is going to be a little bit longer — but you’re going to want to hear this. Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, shares a story that is funny, frustrating, fantastic, and absolutely essential for anyone sitting at an IEP table.

Karen walks you through a real meeting where a student with a vision impairment was receiving 15 minutes a semesterof “consult.” The team insisted it was enough. The paperwork looked “fine.” The VISIT form was “calculated.” But the child still wasn’t receiving the direct services he needed.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Karen broke it down:
• Why zero minutes would force a DNQ
• How to use functional tools (like the VISIT/VSST) in real-life conversations
• How an advocate sees the paperwork from a different lens

Karen also explains why parents and school-based staff are equal stakeholders, and why disagreement is not a problem — it’s part of the process. Parents rarely know their safeguards or how to interpret evaluations, and schools are often too close to the student to recognize when a need has grown or changed.

The heart of this episode:
Data tells the story. Data drives decisions. Data determines services.
Your job is to listen to the data — not the feelings, not the assumptions, not the “we’ve already calculated it.”

If you’ve ever been in a meeting where things drag on, stall out, or go in circles — this episode gives you the clarity and language to move forward with confidence.

📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP
Official Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

👉 Join The Academy (250+ hours of training):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Why Disagreement Isn’t Disrespect: A Real IEP Story

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Today’s episode of The Epic IEP™ is a little longer — but you’re going to want to hear this. Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, shares a real IEP meeting where everything was “fine”… until the parent disagreed. And that’s when things got interesting.

Karen breaks down how a simple request — adding general education as an implementer on two IEP goals — turned into pushback, confusion, and the classic line: “I thought we were collaborating.” She explains why parents are equal stakeholders, why disagreement is normal, and why “collaboration” should never be used as pressure.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
• Understand implementers vs. services
• Recognize when teams may be preparing to propose removal from gen ed
• Respond when “collaboration” becomes manipulation
• Keep the focus on data, not feelings or assumptions
• Use IDEA’s framework to ground decisions
• Hold firm when the team doesn’t want general ed listed

Karen reminds us that the IEP is a document of obligation, not convenience — and that every stakeholder has the gift of persuasion. Use it ethically, use it clearly, and always keep the child’s unique circumstances at the center.

📘 Get The Epic IEP on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

👉 Join The Academy (250+ hours of training):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Epic IEP Meetings Gone Wild: Services, LRE, Vision Minutes & Telling the Truth About Data

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Today’s episode of The Epic IEP™ is a little longer — but you’re going to want to hear this. Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, breaks down a real IEP story that starts with “she’s doing fantastic” and ends with a fourth grader reading 13 words correct per minute and a team refusing resource for five meetings straight.

If you’ve ever sat at the table and wondered why services become the sticking point, this episode gives you clarity. Karen explains why the “why” doesn’t matter — power, control, personality, panic, excuses — none of it changes the team’s obligation to write an IEP that enables progress appropriate in light of the student’s unique circumstances.

Inside this episode, you’ll learn how to:
• Stick to the facts, not feelings or opinions
• Respond when teams say “she’s doing great” while the data says otherwise
• Quantify gaps (like 13 wcpm vs. the 120 wcpm average) so the need is undeniable
• Handle the “we’re worried if she leaves gen ed…” argument
• Challenge myths like “she has to hear state standards”
• Understand why resource is often resisted — and why it’s necessary
• Pivot conversations back to needs, minutes, and services
• Keep the main thing the main thing: the student’s unique circumstances

Karen shares how a student who was overlooked for years finally received resource reading — and how she moved from 13 wcpm to 60 wcpm. Not because she was “sweet” or “quiet”… but because the team looked at the data and addressed the real need.

You’ll also hear how to stay grounded when meetings get frustrating:
• Don’t chase the why — focus on what’s next.
• If you don’t know if something is true, ask for it in writing.
• Use: “Can you send me that code or statute by email by close of business tomorrow?”
• Remember: lovely, well-behaved, or quiet is not the standard. Progress is.

This episode is all about clarity, courage, and keeping your eyes on the data.

📘 Get your copy of The Epic IEP
Official Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

👉 Join The Academy (250+ hours of training):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

When “She’s Doing Fantastic” Isn’t True: The Resource Room Fight Every Parent Faces

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share stories that are funny, frustrating, and absolutely fantastic—because they really happen at the IEP table.

In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, breaks down one of the most common battles in special education: getting a student the actual services they need.

This fourth grader was reading 13 words correct per minute (average is 120), had failed district and state assessments, and still the team insisted she was “doing fantastic.” After four meetings, the district finally agreed she needed resource—and five years later, she now reads 60 WCPM and is on track for high school.

In this episode:

Why “she’s doing great” isn’t data
Why quiet students often fly under the radar
Why resource is resisted—and why it matters
How to keep meetings focused on facts, not feelings
The power of asking: “Can you email me the code for that by close of business tomorrow?”

Remember: don’t get stuck on why a team is resisting services. Focus on what’s next.

📘 Get The Epic IEP
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Upload your receipt for bonuses: TheEpicIEP.com

📚 Train with Karen
The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

“He Has a Disability Every Day”: The Schedule-of-Services Fight You Won’t Believe

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share stories that are funny, frustrating, and absolutely fantastic — because they really happen at the IEP table.

In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, walks into what should have been a routine meeting… and instead ends up in a debate about whether a student needs support every day or only three days a week— even though his disability exists seven days a week.

When the team insists the student “isn’t focused,” “isn’t motivated,” and “could do it if he wanted,” Karen breaks down exactly why misunderstanding neurological disabilities leads to poor IEPs — and poor outcomes.

Karen explains why agreement based on limited knowledge is not informed consent and why the committee must adjust services when the student is not successful.

In this episode:

Why “lack of motivation” is NOT a disability category
What the Schedule of Services page should actually reflect
Why a student needs support every day — not on mystery days of the week
Conflicts you can expect when teams see disability as “choice”
What it means to set a student up for destiny, not destruction

When you stay grounded in the law, the data, and the student’s actual needs, clarity always wins.

📘 Get Karen’s new book — The Epic IEP
Your roadmap to writing, understanding, and implementing IEPs that actually work.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Upload your receipt for bonuses, book club access, and chapter previews: TheEpicIEP.com

📚 Train with Karen
Join The Academy — 250+ hours of training + weekly live sessions:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Wanted This!”: When a Teacher Flips Out in an IEP Meeting

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share stories that are funny, frustrating, and absolutely fantastic—because they really happened at the IEP table.

In today’s episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, walks into what should have been a simple progress-review meeting… and instead gets blamed for everything from eligibility to data collection.

When the teacher admits she didn’t take any data because she “didn’t want to stress the student out,” the meeting goes sideways fast.
Then comes the outburst:

“YOU wanted this! YOU got the IEE! YOU made her eligible!”

Karen breaks down exactly what to do when a team member flips out, refuses to follow IDEA requirements, or takes the process personally instead of professionally.

In this episode:

What to say when a teacher refuses to take data
How to respond when someone blames you for eligibility decisions
The moment you know a teacher shouldn’t serve a student anymore
The real obligation under IDEA for instruction, monitoring, and progress
How to stay grounded when someone comes “off the rails” in an IEP meeting

It’s a reminder that paperwork isn’t the problem—people are.
And when emotions take over, someone has to stay steady at the table.

📘 Get the book — The Epic IEP
Your roadmap for understanding, writing, and implementing IEPs that actually work—complete with QR codes for ongoing resources, templates, and tools.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Upload your receipt for bonuses, book club access, and chapter previews.

📚 Train with Karen
Join The Academy (250+ hours of training):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

The ESY Myth That Stops Services: Why “Regression Only” Is Wrong

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Welcome back to The Epic IEP™, where we share real stories from the IEP table — the fantastic, the frustrating, and the downright funny.

In today's episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, walks you through a 6:20 AM Zoom meeting that was supposed to be “quick and easy”… until it wasn’t.

A visually impaired and orthopedically impaired student needed ESY. The team said no. Why? Because they believed the #1 myth in special education — that ESY requires documented regression only.
But IDEA has two prongs, and only one of them deals with regression.

Karen breaks down what really happened in that meeting ...

In this episode:

The two legal prongs of ESY — and why districts miss the second one
Why ESY is for maintenance, not gains
How to pause a meeting, regroup, and get accurate information
What to say when they “can’t find your name” on the signature page (“try under swimwear model”)
How clarity, humor, and the law keep teams anchored in what’s best for the child

It’s a reminder that even early-morning meetings can change a child’s access and opportunities — when decisions are made based on facts, not feelings.

📘 Get Karen's new book — The Epic IEP
Your roadmap for writing, understanding, and implementing IEPs that actually work — complete with QR codes for templates, tools, and real advocacy resources.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Upload your receipt for book bonuses: TheEpicIEP.com

📚 Train with Karen
Join The Academy — 250+ hours of training + weekly Q&A sessions:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Schools Miss About ADA, Access & the Law

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Welcome to Tales from The Epic IEP™ — real stories that are funny, frustrating, and fantastic from the IEP table.

In this debut episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, shares one of the most jaw-dropping meetings she’s ever attended — a story that reminds every parent, teacher, and advocate why facts, not feelings, win meetings.

When a three-year-old student with a physical disability was denied access to the playground and told to “prove he was stable,” Karen realized again how far we’ve drifted from the spirit of IDEA and ADA — and why critical thinking matters more than ever.

In this episode:

When “access” becomes optional — and how ADA really applies
How to handle district attorneys who act like the “sheriff of special education”
Why believing misinformation doesn’t make it true (even if it’s told with authority)
The difference between the spirit and letter of the law
What happens when leadership passes down wrong information

Karen reminds us: If it’s true, it will be found in the law. And when we make decisions based on accurate information, kiddos win at the highest level.

📘 Get the Book — The Epic IEP
Your playbook for walking into the IEP/504 table prepared, confident, and clear—plus QR codes to living resources like templates, open records guidance, and training tools.
📦 Official Amazon link: The Epic IEP on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4i9guCH]

🎁 Upload your receipt for exclusive bonuses, book club access, and chapter previews: TheEpicIEP.com

Join The Academy — 300+ hours of advocacy training + weekly Q&A sessions: Special Education Academy on Skool

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From MTSS to the IEP Table: What Schools Aren’t Teaching (Hope, Clarity & The Epic IEP)

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0600

“I assumed everyone at the table understood the law… until I learned they didn’t.”

In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham (Special Education Boss®) and Cindy unpack what really happens between MTSS, eligibility, and the IEP—and why so many well-meaning educators and parents are working from bad training, not bad intent. You’ll hear Cindy’s journey from 27 years in the system to discovering Special Education Academy™, and Karen’s charge to bring clarity, rigor, and hope back to the table.

What we cover:

MTSS → IEP: why good hearts + wrong info = poor outcomes
Paperwork bloat vs. an epic IEP that’s actually usable
Who’s responsible when a placement isn’t working (and why it’s leadership)
Why every provider needs the full IEP/504 (not a “teacher bundle”)
ESY done right: the two-prong standard (regression/recoupment and loss of critical skills)
Practical meeting prep: get the draft, get the evals, write questions in advance

Get the book — The Epic IEP
Your playbook for walking into the IEP/504 table prepared, confident, and clear—plus QR codes to living resources (readers’ guide, templates, open records how-to, and more).
📘 Amazon (official): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

🎁 Bonuses: upload your receipt at TheEpicIEP.com for the Book Club, summit ticket, and chapter previews.

Train with Karen
📚 Join The Academy — weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of replays:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

We’re educating you so you can navigate the IEP/504 process with clarity and confidence.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Don’t Know What You Don’t Know — But You Need To

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:00:00 -0600

You don’t know what you don’t know — but you need to. In this Clips from TikTok Live episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham (Special Education Boss®) answers real questions from parents, teachers, and advocates—linking every answer back to federal requirements, not opinions.

What we cover:

When 1:1 paras help short-term—and why they don’t fix instruction
Eligibility vs. services: needs drive goals, not labels
How to follow up on an open OCR complaint
Dyslexia/dysgraphia/dyscalculia: what to request instead of “the disses”
504 accommodations: students shouldn’t have to ask for civil rights
Placement & behavior: FBA, counseling, and choosing the right setting
Homebound misuse, foreign language requirements, schedule changes
Para supervision under ESSA: “directly supervised, close proximity, frequent contact”
Teacher role at ARD/IEP: show up as an information portal with data
Practical prep for tomorrow’s meeting: write it down today

Get the book — The Epic IEP
Your playbook for walking into the IEP/504 table prepared, confident, and clear—plus QR codes to living resources (readers’ guide, templates, open records how-to, and more).
Amazon (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Upload your receipt for bonuses: TheEpicIEP.com
Audiobook + workbook: arriving February.

Train with Karen
Join The Epic IEP™ Academy (weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of replays):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

We’re educating you so you can navigate the IEP/504 process with clarity and confidence.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Actionable IEPs, Real Evaluations, and Your Epic IEP Playbook

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

This episode dives deep into The Epic IEP—the practical, step-by-step playbook every parent, teacher, and advocate needs. Karen and Cindy unpack what’s inside (including built-in QR codes for templates, guides, and ongoing tools) and answer powerful questions from the community.

Inside This Episode:

How The Epic IEP serves as your outline for meetings, evaluations, and progress tracking
The real story behind 1:1 classroom models and why ratios matter
What “evaluate suspected disabilities” actually means under Child Find
Who’s responsible for what: gen ed vs. special ed vs. paras
Writing behavior goals and when to request an FBA or psychological evaluation
Why we don’t override doctor’s notes or “test for dysgraphia” in isolation
What to do when meetings go sideways—how to pause and reconvene
Why continuing education and proper training change everything

Tools + Takeaways:
✔ The Epic IEP — now available for pre-order on Amazon
✔ Claim your bonuses + join the Book Club at theepiciep.com

✔ District upgrades + bulk order training: theepiciep.com/upgrade

✔ Weekly training + federal law support inside The Academy: Special Education Academy

✔ Advocacy support: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Core Message:
Clarity wins every time. Evaluate the need, match the setting, write goals that move data, and lead the table with confidence.

Order the book: Amazon – The Epic IEP

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Q&A: One-to-One Aides, Bullying, Transportation, and Real IEP Strategy

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

This Q&A gets practical fast—how to think about one-to-one aides, what to do when bullying pushes a student out of a class they love, how accommodations must be delivered (without kids “asking”), and why “emergency placements” and mass homebound aren’t a thing under IDEA. Direct, clear, actionable—just how we like it.

What we cover:

One-to-one aides: When they help (short-term, targeted), when they don’t, and what to teach instead: skills and strategies.
Placement clarity: Matching setting to student needs; using the continuum—not wishful thinking.
Foreign language requirements: What’s actually required and why it’s often a poor fit for many students.
Transportation & transitions: Related services, wheelchair loading timing, and capturing supports in supplements.
Bullying & class changes: Why schools often move the reporting student and how to advocate smartly.
“Emergency placement” myth & homebound: What IDEA allows (and doesn’t). Homebound is a medical decision—not a staffing workaround.
Teacher role in ARDs/IEPs: Be the information portal—needs, strengths, and impact across settings.

Resources mentioned:

Pre-Order the Book: The Epic IEP on Amazon (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom
Bonuses: After you order, submit your info at TheEpicIEP.com to unlock pre-order bonuses.
The Academy (weekly trainings + library): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Need support? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Medical Diagnosis vs. IDEA Eligibility + Live Q&A

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

Does a medical diagnosis guarantee an IEP? Not under IDEA. Today, Karen breaks down medical diagnosis vs. educational eligibility—and why the IEP team makes the call based on educational impact and specially designed instruction, not just a doctor’s note. Then we dive into your Q&A: ADHD suspensions in K, Tourette’s (OHI), MDRs & safety, private school obligations, 504 vs. IEP, re-evals, para shortages, and more.
We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.

What You’ll Learn

Dx ≠ Eligibility: How a medical diagnosis informs—but doesn’t decide—IDEA eligibility.
IEP Team = Decision-makers: Who sits at the table and why your data matters.
IEP vs. 504: Accommodations alone vs. specially designed instruction + related services.
Capture both: Note medical conditions and write goals/services for all needs shown by evaluation data.
Safety first: No learning without safety—document, convene, and decide LRE with data.
Join The Academy (250+ hrs): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Pre-order The Epic IEP on Amazon (search “The Epic IEP”)
Claim $500 in pre-order bonuses: TheEpicIEP.com
Work with an Advocate: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“Do you know your rights?”
“You don’t know what you don’t know—but you need to.”
“This is why we sit at the table prepared.”

When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Due Process Hearings 101: Timelines, Exhibits, and Winning with Data

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

If you ever land in a due process hearing, your documents become your voice. In today’s SEB Live Q&A, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down how hearings actually work—resolution sessions, mediation, exhibits (joint, petitioner, and respondent), witnesses, timelines—and why clean, consistent documentation is the difference between overwhelm and outcomes.

What we cover

Due Process ≠ TV drama: what really happens in an administrative hearing
15-day resolution session window and how timelines run outside the school calendar
Joint vs. Petitioner vs. Respondent exhibits (what goes where and why it matters)
How to “hearings-proof” your IEP paperwork (deliberations, emails, logs, attachments)
When and how digital exhibits (audio/video) are authenticated
Procedural vs. substantive violations (and why both can matter)
Witness strategy: who actually testifies (hint: the service providers, not the “district yahoos”)
504 red flags that scream Child Find → Full IDEA evaluation
Reality check: most cases settle—so build the record long before you ever file

Resources & CTAs

Join The Academy (weekly series + 250+ hrs of training): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Pre-order The Epic IEP on Amazon (claim $500 in bonuses at TheEpicIEP.com after purchase)
Contact: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Hard Truths, Real Questions, and Why The Epic IEP Changes Everything

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

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.

📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP today:
👉 Amazon Link

🎁 Then go to TheEpicIEP.com
to unlock $500 in pre-order bonuses, including your FREE ticket to the Epic IEP Mastery Summit (February 6).

🎓 Want ongoing weekly training?
Join The Epic IEP Academy — the premier 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 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Buzzsprout.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0600

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.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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?

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

🎧 Resources Mentioned:
👉 Pre-order The Epic IEP on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

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.

💬 Connect:
Follow Karen Mayer Cunningham everywhere — YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn — @SpecialEducationBoss

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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)

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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).

📘 Pre-Order the Book: The Epic IEP

The exact framework I’ve used for 25+ years—written for parents, educators, and advocates.
➡️ Amazon (official link): https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then claim $500 in pre-order bonuses at TheEpicIEP.com.

🎓 Join The Academy

250+ hours of training to help everyone at the IEP/504 table navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

👩‍🏫 Paraprofessional Webinar (Free)

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.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📘 Order Karen’s new book, The Epic IEP
Now available for pre-order on Amazon!
➡️ https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

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.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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, 504s, and IEP Questions Answered

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, trains everyone at the 504 and IEP table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes. In this episode, she addresses one of the most common questions in special education: Is homework required for students with disabilities?

From there, Karen answers a series of real-world Questions of the Day, offering clarity and actionable steps on topics including:

✅ When and how to move from a 504 Plan to an IEP
✅ Adaptive physical education (APE) and interstate transfers
✅ After-school programs and 504 Plan obligations
✅ Implementing IEPs when moving between states
✅ Obligations for virtual and alternative schools under IDEA

If you’re a parent, advocate, or educator navigating IEPs or 504 Plans, this episode offers clear, practical guidance to help you prepare, participate, and protect student rights effectively.

📚 Resources & Next Steps

📘 Pre-Order Karen’s New Book — The Epic IEP
A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Order now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to register your purchase and unlock $500 in exclusive pre-order bonuses.

🎓 Register for the Paraprofessional Training
Wednesday, November 5 at 7 PM CST
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rAYP4WpfR5eJlwC5LZyxsg

📬 Advocacy Support Available Nationwide
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
for information about records reviews and IEP/504 support.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Dismissing an IEP Team Member | Special Education Boss with Karen Mayer Cunningham

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Can a parent dismiss a member of the IEP team? What if a related service provider says “nothing’s changing” — do they still have to attend?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham explains who must attend every IEP meeting, when you can legally excuse someone, and how to protect your child’s educational rights when team members are missing.

You’ll learn:

The five federally required IEP team members
The right (and wrong) way to excuse a provider
Why “we talked to mom” is not a substitute for attendance
What happens when data changes and a provider isn’t there
How to handle team dismissals legally and strategically

Karen also answers live questions about:
• 504 confidentiality
• Bullying and safety
• Accommodations for trauma, ADHD, and PTSD
• Paraprofessionals and missed minutes
• Student teachers and service minutes
• When a teacher violates the IEP
• Placement decisions and LRE

📘 Pre-order The Epic IEP
A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education system.
👉 Order on Amazon

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com
to claim your $500 in bonuses.

🎓 Join The Academy for ongoing training and community:
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✉️ Need help or representation? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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What Goes in an IEP? Present Levels + Questions of the Day

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What Goes in an IEP? Present Levels + Questions of the Day

In this powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down exactly what belongs inside an IEP — and why understanding the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance is critical to getting it right for every child.

Karen walks through the four required components of the IEP under federal law (IDEA §300.324), explaining what each section really means — beyond what the software says — and how parents, educators, and advocates can use this knowledge to drive meaningful outcomes.

You’ll also hear real-life examples from IEP meetings, including how to interpret evaluation results, what percentile rankings actually tell you, and why parents should always have a copy of the IEP draft before a meeting.

Then, stay tuned as Karen answers the Top 10 “Questions of the Day” from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country.

📘 Featured Resource:
👉 The Epic IEP — A powerful playbook for parents, educators, and advocates navigating the special education process.
Order now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1637635125?tag=simonsayscom

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to unlock $500 in exclusive pre-order bonuses!

📚 Join The Academy:
Train with Karen inside Special Education Academy
— 250+ hours of advocacy training, weekly updates, and real-world tools for navigating IEPs and 504s.

🟣 Connect + Learn More

Website: SpecialEducationAcademy.com
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
YouTube: Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Progress, Evaluations, Behavior, and the Epic IEP Playbook | Ask the Advocate with Karen Mayer Cunningham

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What do you do when your school refuses to test, your teacher isn’t certified, or your child’s IEP goals aren’t being met?
In this Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers real parent and teacher questions about evaluations, progress reports, 504 Plans, IEP goals, behavioral supports, and everything in between—with humor, heart, and straight talk.

✨ In this episode:

IEP report cards vs. progress reports—what’s required each grading period
How to file a discrimination complaint through the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Why schools can’t “wait until 3rd grade” to evaluate
Out-of-district (OOD) placement: when and how students can return
What happens when uncertified teachers or long-term subs teach special education
How to respond when a service provider is causing trauma
Missing data, unimplemented IEPs, and how to request compensatory services
Clarifying PWN, raw data, and progress reports
Behavior plans, transitions, and when to request an FBA
What’s really required for child find, MTSS, and evaluations
How to prepare for your IEP meeting like a pro
Why brushing your teeth isn’t an academic goal (and why humor helps!)
Understanding resource, placement, and curb-to-curb transportation
The truth about 504 Plans vs. IEPs — and why Karen prefers an Epic IEP

📘 Bonus: Learn more about Karen’s upcoming book, The Epic IEP: A Powerful Playbook for Parents, Educators, and Advocates.
Order your copy on Amazon and unlock $500 worth of free bonuses when you register at TheEpicIEP.com

🔗 Links

Join The Academy (250+ hours of on-demand training):
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Work with an Advocate: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
Pre-Order Karen’s Book:
The Epic IEP on Amazon

Then visit TheEpicIEP.com to claim your $500 in bonuses

We’re educating you so you can navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
📚 Pre-Order The Epic IEP: TheEpicIEP.com
🎓 Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
💌 Request an Advocate: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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)

Call to Action

Join The Academy for weekly, no-fluff training and Q&A: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Questions? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
Subscribe and share this episode with a friend at the IEP/504 table.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

🎥 Watch more episodes on YouTube:
Subscribe to stay updated with weekly advocacy trainings and Q&A sessions.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss

🎙️ Listen on Buzzsprout + Follow Karen:

TikTok: @SpecialEducationBoss
Instagram: @KarenMayerCunningham
Facebook: Special Education Boss®

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📘 Resources Mentioned:

The Epic IEP™ Book: https://www.theepiciep.com
Special Education Academy: https://www.specialeducationacademy.com
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
YouTube Channel: Special Education Academy

📣 Connect with Karen:

Follow @SpecialEducationBoss on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for live trainings, advocacy tools, and upcoming webinars.

🟡 Want to train like a pro?
Join The Academy, Karen’s private training community for parents, educators, and advocates:
👉 Join here

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Epic IEP (Book + $500 bonuses): https://TheEpicIEP.com
Join The Academy (250+ hours of training): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Special Education Academy App: App Store + Google Play

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Epic IEP (Book + $500 in bonuses): https://TheEpicIEP.com
Join The Academy (250+ hrs training): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Special Education Academy App: Find it on the App Store + Google Play

💬 Connect

Daily training + replays on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📚 Resources Mentioned

The Epic IEP Book: https://TheEpicIEP.com
Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Download the Special Education Academy App: available in the App Store + Google Play

💬 Connect + Learn More

Follow Karen Mayer Cunningham — The Special Education Boss® , @specialeducationboss, EVERYWHERE for daily advocacy training and resources.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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)?

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📘 Get the Book: TheEpicIEP.com

🎓 Join The Academy: SpecialEducationAcademy.com

💌 Questions? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

👉 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
📖 The Epic IEP™ Book → https://theepiciep.com

📚 The Academy (250+ Hours of Training) → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✉️ Contact us → advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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
.

🔗 More Resources:
👉 Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

👉 Pre-order The EPIC IEP™ Book: https://theepiciep.com

👉 Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📚 Grab Karen’s new book, The Epic IEP™: https://theepiciep.com

👩‍🏫 Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

📧 Need support? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📬 Have a question? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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!

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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
Amazon Your Unique FIZEEK! by Dr. Tiffany Watson.

Connect with Dr. Tiff: drtiff@workwithdrtiff.com
App: FIZEEK! Girls (Android) Google Play

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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?”

Keep learning with Karen
👉 Join The Academy (trainings, templates, community): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

👉 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (virtual & in-person)
👉 VIP Advocate Program ($297/mo, application required)

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.”

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

🎁 Register your purchase to unlock $500+ in bonuses
🎓 Learn more trainings at: https://SpecialEducationAcademy.com

💌 Need an advocate? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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).

📢 Next steps:

Join The Academy: Special Education Academy
Register for the EPIC IEP Intensive – Sept 27–28, 2025 (https://specialeducationacademy.com/training)

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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)

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

👉 Keep learning with us:

The Academy (weekly PD): https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
EPIC IEP Intensive – 2 Day Advocacy Intensive Training https://specialeducationacademy.com/training
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialeducationacademy

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.
Vocational rehab services: what’s good, what’s missing.
The importance of data-driven placement decisions.
And a reminder—advocacy means being a chainsaw, not just a squeaky wheel.

👉 Join us for live professional development every Monday inside The Academy:
Join The Academy

👉 Register now for the EPIC IEP Intensive – Sept. 27–28, 2025:
Register Here

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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”

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.”

👉 Join ongoing trainings in The Academy
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

✨ 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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0500

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

Referenced federal sources:

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) – 34 CFR Part B: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34
ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015): https://www.everystudentsucceedsact.org
No Child Left Behind (historical context): https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/house-bill/1
OSEP (Office of Special Education Programs): https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/osers/osep

Next steps:

Join The Academy for 250+ hours of training and weekly updates:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
Questions or training requests: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Join The Academy (Skool): 250+ hours of trainings, weekly updates, and a supportive community.
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

Want training and support?
Join here: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Work with our team: Records reviews and advocacy support are available.
📧 advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

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Ask the Advocate: IEP Signatures, ESY Services, Compensatory Time & More

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

📌 Resources Mentioned:

Federal Code of Regulations for IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
U.S. Department of Education: ed.gov
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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

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YouTube: Special Education Academy

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What Is Specially Designed Instruction? | Part 1

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

🎥 Watch replays and trainings on YouTube:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos

🎧 Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout or your favorite podcast platform.

✨ Remember: We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Your Top Special Education Questions Answered | Rapid Fire with the Special Education Boss®

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📣 Want step-by-step training to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes? Join The Academy today:
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
🎥 Watch more trainings on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SpecialEducationAcademy/videos
🎧 Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout or your favorite podcast platform.

✨ Remember: We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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.)

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Demystifying Prior Written Notice (PWN) in Special Education: What Parents Must Know

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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
Explore more trainings on evaluations, complaints, and procedural safeguards
Watch and subscribe on YouTube
for weekly episodes and resources

💡 Remember: A Prior Written Notice is one of your strongest advocacy tools. Don’t overlook it.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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
Explore our trainings on evaluations, complaints, and procedural safeguards
Download the Special Education Academy App to learn on the go

Advocacy takeaway: If it doesn’t make sense, there’s a reason it doesn’t make sense. Sit at the table prepared.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

👉 Watch on YouTube

📌 Reminder: We don’t give legal advice—we train and educate so YOU can navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

👉 Join The Academy for weekly training and advocacy tools

📺 Watch all episodes on YouTube
🎧 Catch up on past podcast episodes here or on your favorite streaming platform, Special Education Boss® Podcast

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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?”
“What happens during a 30-day transfer ARD?”

📌 Keep learning with us: Join The Academy

Watch on YouTube

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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®

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📌 Join The Academy today

📌 Watch & Subscribe on YouTube

📌 Listen to More Episodes on your favorite Podcast platform .. Special Education Boss® Podcast

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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 Environment (LRE) decisions.
The truth about vision therapy under IDEA.
Why early learning for parents of toddlers with disabilities is essential.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or advocate, this episode is packed with practical takeaways, legal references, and real talk to help you stand firm at the table—without getting lost in the jargon.

📌 Resources & Next Steps
✅ Join The Academy — 15 days FREE with code: TIKTOKLIVE
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

✅ Two-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Virtual or In-Person)
Details & Registration: https://specialeducationacademy.com/training

✅ Follow Karen on Social Media — @SpecialEducationBoss everywhere
https://linktr.ee/specialeducationacademy

📩 Need Representation or Records Review?
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📌 Links & Resources Mentioned:
📲 Download the Special Education Academy App
🎓 Join The Academy
📅 Register for the 2-Day Virtual Special Education Advocacy Intensive (Sept 27–28, 2025)
📧 Email the Team: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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.

📲 Join The Academy

🎧 Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout or YouTube
💬 Follow, like, share, and subscribe for weekly trainings!

—

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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, Back to the IEP Table: Rapid-Fire Q&A for 2025-2026

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

It's August 2025, and we’re back to school and back to the IEP and 504 tables! In this episode of Ask the Advocate, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, takes questions live and delivers rapid-fire answers, real-talk strategies, and expert insight to get your year started right.

Whether you're prepping for a first IEP meeting, navigating an out-of-place placement, wondering about compensatory services, or trying to understand cell phone exemptions in Texas, this episode covers it all, with a little humor and a whole lot of clarity.

🟡 Topics Covered:

✅ What to request before your IEP meeting (and how)
✅ Why promotion language does not belong in the IEP
✅ Tips for advocating for a child with cerebral palsy
✅ How to write strong IEP goals for developmental gaps
✅ The purpose of a “Zac Pack” for Kindergarten transitions
✅ Clarifying inclusion responsibilities + para roles
✅ Graduation, electives, and accommodations: what’s legal?
✅ IDEA violations, denials of FAPE, and when to demand comp ed
✅ Charter schools, self-contained myths, and why public school can work—if we get it right
✅ Should a parent work as a para for their own child? Why that’s a red flag
✅ What to do if your school is sending your child home for behavior
✅ How to start a career as an advocate (without a college degree)
✅ Push-in vs. pull-out supports, IEP meeting prep, and so much more

🟣 Karen also covers:

The new Texas cell phone law and what counts as an IEP/504 exception
What really makes a school “good” for students with disabilities
Advice for brand-new SPED teachers stepping into messy programs
What to do when you’re ghosted by the school
Why special education advocacy is a calling—and why it matters now more than ever

🎧 Whether you're a parent, teacher, para, or aspiring advocate, this is your weekly dose of clarity, confidence, and community at the IEP table.

🛠️ Resources Mentioned:

📲 Download the Special Education Academy App — FREE in your app store!
🎓 Join The Academy
📚 Visit the Book Shelf (IEP Goal Writing Resource by Dr. Mitchell Yell)

📩 Need representation, training, or next steps? Email us at: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Listen + Learn More:
📌 Subscribe on YouTube or Buzzsprout
📌 Follow @SpecialEducationBoss on all platforms
📌 Join The Academy for weekly Personal Development and live coaching

🔔 Don’t forget to share, follow, and leave a review so others can find this resource too!

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Evaluations: What Every Parent and Advocate Needs to Know

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Evaluations are the foundation of every IEP, and most parents, advocates, and even school staff don’t realize how many sections are involved, what’s legally required, or how much can go wrong when pieces are skipped.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham walks you through the full scope of educational evaluations, breaking down each required component and the common mistakes families face.

You’ll learn:

The difference between formal and informal evaluations (and when to push back)
What MUST be included in a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE)
Why skipping sections like sociological, pragmatic language, or adaptive behavior can derail eligibility
The truth about counseling as a related service—and what schools often get wrong
How to prepare parents to share personal or sensitive details without public discomfort
When and how to ask for psych services, assistive tech, occupational therapy, and more
The problem with “screeners” and how to request full evaluations in every area of suspected disability

Karen delivers powerful advocacy strategies, real-life examples, and her signature truth bombs—helping you know what to ask for, what to document, and how to ensure no student gets overlooked.

“You don’t have to prove your child needs an evaluation. The law doesn’t require proof—it requires suspicion of a disability.”

Join The Academy

Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout or YouTube

Follow, like, share, and subscribe for weekly trainings!

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Diagnosis vs. Eligibility: What Every Advocate Needs to Know

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to Special Education Boss®! In this power-packed training episode from Day 1 of “How to Advocate for Anyone,” Karen Mayer Cunningham unpacks one of the most misunderstood areas in special education: the difference between medical diagnosis and educational need, and why it matters at the IEP table.

Key takeaways:

Differentiate between medical, therapeutic, and educational models
Navigate eligibility categories, comorbidities, and eligibility order
Decode the true meaning of a 504 vs. an IEP—and why “he’s doing great” isn’t good enough
Advocate for comprehensive evaluations, including cognitive (all 7 Gs), adaptive, achievement, psychological, and language
Use your role to tell the child’s full story, not just comply with checkboxes
Avoid common traps in eligibility and evaluation—and how to ask for Prior Written Notice when needed
Why “we’re not in the pool” and “we consider it” are red flags—and what to say instead
How to ensure your advocacy is rooted in excellence, integrity, and long-term outcomes

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or advocate, this episode is a masterclass in IDEA advocacy and strategic decision-making at every stage of the special education process.

“This is why we don’t waffle, waver, or water it down.”

Listen now and equip yourself with the language, mindset, and legal literacy to lead IEP teams and advocate for what every child deserves.

Ready to go deeper? Join The Academy

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Divorce, Disability & IEPs: What Every Parent Needs to Know with Mary Ann Hughes

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What happens when a parent of two children with autism faces divorce during IEP transition years? In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, sits down with Mary Ann Hughes, Certified Special Needs Divorce Coach and founder of Special Family Transitions. From navigating divorce while parenting children with disabilities to building lifelong support plans, Mary Ann shares practical tools, real-life insights, and hope for parents walking a complex path. This conversation is a must-listen for advocates, educators, and families facing tough transitions.

🎧 Join The Academy
🌐 Learn more about Mary Ann

"When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody."

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Special Ed Teacher to Advocate: Rachel Mottern’s Story of Bold, Brave Transition

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

From the classroom to the conference table—today’s episode is one of full-circle purpose.

Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, is joined by the amazing Rachel Mottern, a former special education teacher turned full-time national advocate, for a powerful and heartfelt conversation you won’t forget.

Rachel shares her journey from struggling with dyslexia as a child to becoming a teacher, earning her master's at Vanderbilt (yes, the #1 program in the nation), and eventually realizing she could serve students better outside the system.

What started with a two-day training inside the Special Education Academy turned into a career pivot that changed everything. You'll hear:

What it was like being a student with dyslexia and a “quiet struggler”
Why she took the 2-Day Intensive and Mastermind—and how it gave her permission to act.
Behind-the-scenes stories of systemic pushback, evaluation roadblocks, and how Rachel refused to be hushed.
How she built her advocacy practice with courage, community, and Karen’s mentorship.

This episode is for every educator, advocate, and parent who knows something isn’t right—and is ready to do something about it.

Rachel now serves families nationwide and is living proof that when you combine training, lived experience, and boldness, you can make real change.

Connect with Rachel Mottern:
Website: www.MotternIEPHelp.com
Email: rachel@motternadvocacy.com
Partner Page: Inside Special Education Academy

Want the same training that helped Rachel launch a new career?
Join us inside The Academy

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

How to Request and Navigate Special Education Testing & Evaluations

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

How to Request Special Education Testing + What Happens Next
Special Education Boss® Podcast | Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham

Confused about how to get your child tested for special education services? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.

In this powerhouse episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, The Special Education Boss®, breaks down what every parent, educator, and advocate needs to know about requesting and navigating special education evaluations.

📚 We’re covering:
✅ How to request an FIE (Full Individual Evaluation)
✅ IDEA timelines and eligibility basics
✅ 504 vs. IEP: Which one applies—and when?
✅ What goes into a proper evaluation (academic, speech, OT, behavior, etc.)
✅ How to prepare for the results and advocate for appropriate supports
✅ Writing goals based on data—not feelings
✅ Behavior plans, assistive tech, and related services
✅ Real Q&A from parents and educators just like you

Whether you're new to this journey or knee-deep in evaluations, this training gives you clarity, confidence, and action steps to move forward.

🧠 Want more support? Join The Academy. New training sessions weekly, 250+ hours available now.

📲 Download the free SEA app for access, updates, and community.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
—Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Writing Measurable, Meaningful IEP Goals

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

How to Ditch SMART Goals, Align with Present Levels, and Meet the Endrew F. Standard

Most IEP goals aren’t measurable—and that’s a big problem.

In this episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham is joined by Dr. Mitchell Yell, special education expert, professor, and hearing officer, to break down how to write IEP goals that actually meet legal standards and support real student progress.

Together, they cover:

Why SMART goals fall short
A simple 3-step formula for writing measurable goals
How to align goals to present levels (not just state standards)
What the Endrew F. case says about student progress
How to fix goals that are vague, invisible, or rolled over year to year
When to change instruction (not just lower expectations)

This is essential listening for parents, educators, and advocates who want to get IEPs right.

🎧 Listen in and train with us weekly inside The Academy.
👉 Join The Academy:
📺 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss
🎤 Follow Karen: @SpecialEducationBoss

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

OCR Complaints Part 3: Mediation, Rebuttal, and Resolution Explained

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What happens after you file an OCR complaint?
In Part 3 of our special series on how to file effective OCR (Office for Civil Rights) complaints, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, walks you through everything that happens once your complaint is opened for investigation—including mediation options, rebuttal strategies, and meaningful resolutions.

This episode covers:

✅ What the OCR looks for when opening an investigation
✅ Why mediation is always voluntary—but often powerful
✅ Real examples of how compensatory services and training were negotiated
✅ What to include in your rebuttal if a district disputes your claims
✅ Why every complaint needs clear documentation, timelines, and expectations
✅ What to say (and not say) when engaging with investigators
✅ How to respond when your case is transferred to a new investigator
✅ What "resolution" really means—and how to make it work for your child

Whether you're a parent, advocate, or professional supporting students with disabilities, this deep dive gives you the language, tools, and mindset to stay in the fight for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

📌 Related trainings mentioned:
➡️ Part 1: How to File an OCR Complaint
➡️ Part 2: What Happens After You File
📚 Get 50% off the 2-Day Intensive On-Demand Training until the end of JULY: Use code JULY at checkout
🔗 Join The Academy

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Paras, Placements, Phones & IEP Problems—Answered

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What do you do when the IEP isn’t followed? When a para is left unsupervised? When your child is denied services due to a “lack of staff”? Or when a cell phone ban interferes with their support plan?

In this rapid-fire Q&A episode of Ask the Advocate, Special Education Boss® Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles your most pressing questions about special education—straight from the front lines. No fluff. No legal jargon. Just real answers to real problems.

Topics we cover in this episode:

✅ Are all paras qualified to serve students with disabilities?
✅ Can you be hired without certification? (Short answer: Yes. Long answer: You better listen.)
✅ Can a child be denied VO-Tech or transition services?
✅ What if the principal ignores IEP violations?
✅ When should compensatory services be offered—and what if they’re never delivered?
✅ Can a parent request a one-to-one aide?
✅ What’s legal when it comes to substitutes in inclusion classrooms?
✅ How do students access their phones if there’s a safety plan or doctor’s note?
✅ What’s the deal with Level 1, 2, or 3 autism labels in schools?
✅ Can a school make a placement decision without a meeting?

💡 BONUS: Karen shares what federal law actually says about paraprofessionals and IEP implementation—plus how to get her most requested resource:
Working with Paraprofessionals: A Resource for Educators of Students with Disabilities. Request it: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

📱 Download the Special Education Academy App:
Find it in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Just search Special Education Academy and look for the lightbulb with the grad cap!

🎓 TRAININGS:
✔️ 2-Day Intensive (On-Demand) — 50% off with code JULY
✔️ Mastermind Cohort — Starts July 27, 2025
✔️ Weekly Training in The Academy — Every Monday @ 8 PM CST

📚 Join The Academy

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 or 504? Budget Excuses, OT Battles, and Why Data Always Wins | Ask the Advocate

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What’s the real difference between an IEP and a 504?
Spoiler: one of them is a “waste of good paper”… and Karen does not hold back.

In this rapid-fire Ask the Advocate episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers the most pressing questions from parents, teachers, and advocates navigating special education. From whether schools can deny services based on budget to how to respond when accommodations “aren’t being implemented,” Karen gives straight answers with humor, heart, and strategy.

Topics Covered:

How to request special education testing (what to say + how to say it)
IEP vs. 504 — and why that matters more than ever
Can good grades cancel an IEP?
Why schools push for life skills programs — and how to push back
What to do when raw data is missing (or obviously fake)
How to advocate for one-to-one support, ESY, or out-of-district placement
When to file a complaint, skip mediation, or request an IEE

Plus: Karen dishes out solid gold on how YOU can become an advocate—and why the system needs you now more than ever.

🎧 Listen, laugh, learn—and leave ready to advocate with confidence.

👇 Dive deeper with us:
Join The Academy
Explore the 2-Day Intensive (on-demand)
Want to become an advocate?

Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode with your team, your friends, or anyone sitting at the IEP table.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

OCR Part 2: Next Steps Unveiled — Navigating Post-Complaint Procedures with OCR

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

So you filed an OCR complaint… now what?

In Part 2 of our 3-part training series, Karen Mayer Cunningham walks you through exactly what happens after you hit "submit" on an OCR (Office for Civil Rights) complaint—because filing is just the beginning.

This training picks up where we left off in Part 1 (go back and listen if you haven’t yet!). We’re moving into what the federal process looks like after your complaint is received—including consent forms, timelines, clarification calls, documentation requirements, and what it actually means when they say they’re “gathering facts.”

You’ll learn:

✅ What happens after filing an OCR complaint
✅ The difference between a dismissal letter and a notification letter
✅ What to expect during the clarification call
✅ What role retaliation plays in a complaint
✅ Why you must stick to the facts—not feelings

Karen breaks down real-life examples of complaints she’s filed, including those on behalf of individual students and groups, and what districts are required to do under Section 504, ADA Title II, and other civil rights laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Education.

📌 Important Reminder: OCR is a neutral fact-finding body. They're not on your side. They're not on the district's side. They are there to determine if the facts support a violation of civil rights. You need documentation, clarity, and preparation to navigate this process successfully.

This episode is packed with actionable insight for parents, advocates, and professionals. Whether you’re mid-complaint or just getting started, don’t skip this one.

🔗 Join The Academy and get trained by Karen inside

🔗 Listen to Part 1 here
🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow for more weekly training on your rights under IDEA, 504, FAPE, and special education guidelines.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Rapid-Fire Q&A: IEP Services, Transition Plans, 504 Misconceptions & Parent Advocacy

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Have a question about IEPs, special education rights, or how to advocate for your child? In this rapid-fire episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers YOUR burning questions from parents, teachers, and advocates across the country.

✨ From transition services at age 16 (or earlier!) to paraprofessional-only classrooms, related services, and the legal difference between an IEP and a 504, this episode is packed with clear, actionable insight.

🔍 Topics covered include:

What to do when the school refuses a transition plan at age 16
Can a classroom be run by paras only?
Why "extremely low IQ" isn't enough without data
What’s required for behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
How long is “without unnecessary delay”?
When to Request an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation)
How to advocate for AAC devices like a light box
Can self-contained students be dismissed early? (Spoiler: NO!)
Can a school end an IEP without parent consent?
And so much more…

💬 Karen also explains why “extremely low” isn’t a legal term, how parents should handle emotionally charged meetings, and what to do if the team “dictates” the IEP.

🎓 Want more support?
Join The Academy for full access to over 250+ hours of training, ongoing weekly updates, and a community that knows how to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

👉 Join The Academy:
📩 Need an advocate? Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎧 Listen to past episodes on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Schools Get Wrong: Q&A on One-to-One Support, Service Minutes, and Your Parent Rights

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Do you know your rights when it comes to makeup services, one-to-one support, and placement decisions?
In this powerful, unfiltered Q&A session, Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®, breaks down REAL questions from parents and educators navigating the IEP table.

We’re covering everything from:

Can a school deliver compensatory minutes before talking to the parent?
Is one-on-one support really “too restrictive”?
What to do when a school says “It’s all or nothing” on placement
How to respond when your child’s related services were never delivered
The truth about paras providing IEP minutes (yikes)
What to say when denied dyslexia testing or told your child is “too low to help”
And yes... how to explain SLD (Specific Learning Disability) in parent-friendly terms

💥 Plus: Karen shares her favorite due process win, when to file a state vs. federal complaint, and why the phrase “That’s it” has NO place in IDEA.

➡️ If you’ve ever been told “we don’t do that here” or “your child doesn’t need that,” this episode is your roadmap to push back — respectfully, legally, and strategically.

⚠️ Bonus Highlights:

Why denying access to AAC or lunch = OCR complaint
What to do if your child is carried in a trash can 😡
What the 7 Gs are — and why they matter in IEP testing
Why charter schools may not be the best fit for SPED students
How to explain accommodations vs. modifications to staff

Listen now and join the movement of informed, prepared, and empowered parents and professionals who are changing the game in special education.

💡 Join The Academy
📲 Get the app → Search “Special Education Academy” in your App Store
📧 Need help? advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

“When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.”
— Karen Mayer Cunningham

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

How to File an Effective OCR Complaint (Part 1): Know Your Rights and Get It Right

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Do you know your rights when it comes to filing a federal complaint for disability discrimination?
In this powerful Part 1 of our 3-part training, Karen Mayer Cunningham—The Special Education Boss®—walks you through how to effectively file an OCR (Office for Civil Rights) complaint with the U.S. Department of Education.

If you’ve ever thought:
👉 “Should I file a federal complaint?”
👉 “What does OCR actually cover?”
👉 “What goes into a successful filing?”
👉 “Can I file as an advocate, or only as a parent?”

Then THIS episode is for you.

Here's what you’ll learn:

What the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is—and what it’s not
The difference between an OCR complaint vs. a state complaint
Who can file: parent, guardian, advocate, or group
The strict 180-day timeline to file (and why most people miss it)
What OCR does not investigate (and why knowing this matters)
Step-by-step walkthrough of the OCR Complaint Assessment System
What to include (and NOT include) in your complaint narrative
Sample wording for discrimination, denial of accommodations, and retaliation
How to request meaningful remedies like training and compensatory time

Whether you're a parent, advocate, educator, or professional, this training will help you sit at the table prepared, informed, and effective.

📍This is Part 1 of a 3-part series. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll unpack what happens after you file—including interviews, investigations, and settlements.

Ready to get trained on all six dispute resolution options?
Join The Academy for over 250+ hours of on-demand training

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

The Testing Talk: How to Get Your Child Fully Evaluated for Special Education

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Is your child struggling in school, and you're wondering if special education testing is the next step?
In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down the entire process of requesting and navigating special education testing—from suspected needs to formal evaluations.

If you've ever been told "your child doesn’t qualify" or "we don’t think there’s a learning disability," this episode is for you.

📌 In this episode, you’ll learn:

Who qualifies for special education testing
What ages are eligible (starting as early as 2.5!)
The 8 areas of a full evaluation (including speech, cognition, behavior, and more)
How to write a clean, concise, and clear formal testing request
What happens after the request
What to do if the school denies testing or misidentifies eligibility
What your parental rights are (and what schools are legally required to do)

You’ll also hear real Q&A from parents asking:

“What if my request was denied?”
“Do verbal requests count?”
“What if I don’t agree with the eligibility category?”
“How can I be heard at IEP meetings?”

Karen pulls back the curtain on the red tape, simplifies the legal language, and gives you real, actionable tools so you can confidently advocate for your child without fear or confusion.

📣 Don’t wait another day. If you know something isn’t right—start now.

“Testing does one of two things: it identifies or eliminates. Either way, we want answers.” — Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education Boss®

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

How to Make a Formal Special Education Request (Say This Exactly)

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Parents: If you think you’ve made a request for special education testing, but it wasn’t written, clean, concise, and clear… you didn’t.

In this short but powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, walks you through exactlywhat a formal request is — and what it isn’t.

No more:
🚫 "Hey Bob, can you check on that for me?"
🚫 "I’m on the PTA, they’ll take care of it."
🚫 Phone calls that go nowhere.

✅ You’ll leave this episode knowing exactly what to write, how to write it, and what happens next.

📌 Sample Script:
“Dear Staff, this is my formal request for my child, Billy Smith, to have special education testing. Areas of suspected disability are attention and learning issues. I look forward to your written response.”

No threats.
No legal code.
Just clean. Concise. Clear.

📩 Ready for more scripts, tools, and step-by-step advocacy support?
Join The Academy: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

AI, Authenticity, and Saving 10 Hours a Week: A Conversation with Matt Fornito

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Are you using AI... or is it using you?

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with keynote speaker, organizational psychologist, and AI strategist Matt Fornito to unpack what’s really happening in the world of artificial intelligence—and why it matters for educators, advocates, and business owners alike.

They cover:

How AI is changing education and business—for better or worse
What Karen learned from Matt that helped her finally finish her book
Why AI isn’t replacing teachers, but bad systems might try
Tools that can actually save you 10+ hours a week
Why authentic intelligence > artificial intelligence (every time)
The truth about ghostwriting with AI—and what publishers really want
Which AI tools Matt actually uses in real life (not hype)

You’ll also hear how Matt helps individuals and billion-dollar companies use AI more effectively—without losing their voice or values.

Whether you're AI-curious, overwhelmed, or ready to harness these tools to tell your story, this episode will leave you inspired and informed.

🧠 Mentioned Tools + Resources:

Perplexity.ai (search tool)
Fixer.ai (email assistant)
Midjourney (image generation)
Gamma (AI presentation builder)
TheAIAG.com (Matt’s advisory firm)
AI-powered book creation and keynote strategy

👇 Want to connect with Matt?
Visit: https://www.theaiag.com/specialeducationboss

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Hot Topics + Hot Deals: July Q&A with the Special Education Boss®

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

July is heating up—and so is the conversation! In this live Q&A episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers your biggest questions on IEPs, 504s, eligibility, state complaints, ABA therapy, inclusion, and more.

Plus, she announces exciting news:
📕 Karen’s long-awaited special education book is finally done—and pre-orders with bonuses are coming soon!
🔥 For the first time ever, the 2-Day On-Demand Advocacy Intensive is 50% off through July 31 with code: JULY
📍 The final in-person 2-Day Intensive for the year is July 19–20 in Melbourne, Florida
📆 The only Mastermind of the year is July 27—and the 2-Day is a prerequisite
📲 And yes, the new Special Education Academy app is live on both app stores!

🔊 In this episode, Karen covers:

What to do if service providers skip sessions
Can parents sit in when there’s no aide?
What does "as needed" in the IEP really mean?
How to request no homework (yes, really)
What happens when IEP meetings are cut short
Why “LRE = General Ed” is not what the law says
Do you need a diagnosis to qualify for 504?
Can schools deny placement based on space?

🗣️ “We’re not giving legal advice. We’re educating you.”

🧠 Whether you're a parent, teacher, para, or advocate-in-the-making, you'll walk away with clarity, action steps, and more than a few laughs. (And yes—some hairspray commentary, too.)

🎁 Special Offers
👉 Get the 2-Day On-Demand Training at 50% off with code: JULY
🧠 Join The Academy for weekly training: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
📲 Download the app on iOS or Android: Search: Special Education Academy

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Dispute Resolution in Special Education: What Are Your Rights

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

If you're facing a disagreement with your child’s school over special education services, this episode is for you.

Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, breaks down the four state-level dispute resolution options every parent, guardian, and advocate must know:

✅ IEP Facilitation
✅ Mediation
✅ State Complaint
✅ Due Process Hearing

This episode covers:

What each option is and when to use it
Pros, cons, timelines, and what to expect
Real-talk about when being “nice” won’t get your child the services they deserve
How to choose the right path—and why you only get one shot

Karen shares insights from 28 years of experience advocating across the country, including how to use these tools to hold school districts accountable—and most importantly, to secure a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for your child.

📚 Mentioned in this episode:
– Federal Law: IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
– Code of Federal Regulations, Title 34
– State-specific dispute forms (check your SEA website)

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 a Due Process Hearing—and What Does It Mean for Parents and Advocates?

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

f you’ve ever said, “I’ll sue the school district,” you may be thinking about a due process hearing—but do you actually know what that means?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down the fourth and most formal dispute resolution option under IDEA: the Special Education Due Process Hearing.

Whether you’re a parent, advocate, or educator, you’ll walk away with a deep understanding of:

What a due process hearing really is (and isn’t)
What IDEA says about who can file and how to do it
What must be included in a complaint to even be heard
Timelines that could make or break your case
Whether you need a lawyer—or if you can self-represent
What happens after you file (hint: it’s not instant!)
Karen’s personal insight from 11+ years of hearings

This isn’t about suing—it’s about knowing your rights, protecting your child, and walking into that room prepared.

Need help or want a free resource?
Just fill out the orange contact form on our site or email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
We’ll send you a FREE copy of the Texas Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook.

Want your copy of the federal IDEA law book (IDEA 2004)? Get it HERE

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Mid-Year Wake-Up Call + Your Top IEP Questions Answered

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

We’re back with a no-holds-barred Ask the Advocate episode—and this one is fire. Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, is answering your most-asked questions with the clarity, humor, and wisdom you’ve come to expect.

Spoiler: It’s July. That means we’re in the second half of the year—and there’s still time to get in the game and fight for your child’s rights.

In this episode:

How long schools have to evaluate your child (and what “school days” really mean)
Whether a school can ignore a private evaluation
Why behavior issues and good grades don’t cancel each other out
The real job of a paraprofessional
What to do when an aide is helping other students instead of yours
The truth about MDRs, ESY, speech-only IEPs, and testing timelines
Why “buckle down and listen” isn’t a valid intervention—and what to do instead
The difference between a diagnosis and eligibility
When and how to file a state complaint

Plus:
✅ Download our APP in your APP store, search ... Special Education Academy app
✅ A 50% OFF code for the 2-Day Intensive On-Demand (use code JULY at checkout!)
✅ Details on our in-person Florida training (July 19–20) and the Group Mastermind starting July 27

🎯 This episode is packed with practical strategies and powerful reminders that you are the expert on your child—and we’ve got your back.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Mom Guilt to Systemic Change: Angie Pannuti's Special Education Advocacy Journey

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:00:00 -0500

What happens when a fiercely intelligent parent is told her child just isn’t “a good fit” for school?

In this raw and powerful episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, sits down with Kentucky-based mom, medical professional, and now advocate, Angie Pannuti. What began as a personal struggle with sleep-deprived nights, guilt-filled days, and a nonverbal toddler has turned into a mission to shift entire school systems—starting with her son, Michael.

Angie shares her journey:

Navigating early intervention and a rocky preschool transition
Feeling like she was failing as a parent (despite being a physician assistant!)
The moment she realized something had to change
Finding Karen’s videos late one night on Facebook Reels
Attending board meetings, joining the Academy, and becoming “all in”
Starting a nonprofit, Special Education Lifeline, to support families in Kentucky

This episode is a masterclass in what happens when a parent is empowered with the right tools, training, and support—and the ripple effect it creates in communities, classrooms, and systems.

💡 You’ll hear:

Why Angie had to step back as “just mom” to truly advocate
The power of saying, “Show me the data.”
How a structured classroom transformed Michael’s school year
Why teachers, not just parents, are joining the Academy in record numbers
What it really means to “train everyone at the IEP/504 table”

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, outnumbered, or underprepared in special education—this conversation is your lifeline.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Classroom to Advocacy: Why This Educator Walked Away to Stand Up for Kids

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0500

The system isn’t just broken—it’s breaking teachers.

This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Linda Glazewski, a bold new voice in the advocacy world. After 30+ years in the classroom, Linda walked away from the job she once loved to start advocating full-time for families and students with disabilities. Why? Because the very system she served was standing in the way of student success.

👉 You’ll hear:

What finally pushed Linda to say, “I’m done”
The real story behind aggressive behaviors in co-taught classrooms
Why calling an IEP meeting isn’t always as simple as it sounds
How trauma, burnout, and broken systems affect great teachers
The one moment that made her say, “I have to do more”
What teachers and parents need to understand about being allies—not adversaries
The training shift that changed her perspective (spoiler: it was the 2-Day Intensive!)

This episode is for every teacher who wants to make a bigger impact, every parent who feels like no one’s listening, and every advocate trying to bridge the gap.

📩 Want to connect with Linda Glazewski?
Email: linda@specialeducationace.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Summer Services, Speech Support, and the 50% Off Sale!

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

We’re wrapping up June with Ask the Advocate—and it’s packed!
Karen Mayer Cunningham, the Special Education Boss®, answers your most-asked questions about IEPs, 504s, compensatory services, and more. From data myths and goal-setting to speech therapy, para support, and placement issues—this episode is full of clarity, education, and laughter (of course).

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Now through June 30, download Wealthy & Well-Known (for FREE) and email a screenshot to advocate@specialeducationacademy.com to get a 50% OFF coupon for any one digital product—including the 2-Day Virtual Intensive!

Topics in this episode:

How to request an IEP meeting when elopement or behavior concerns arise
Can districts deny services due to “summer”? (Spoiler: no)
Why IEP goals must be based on present levels (and what to do if they aren’t)
Resource rooms, para staffing, and LRE compliance
What to do when the district says they “didn’t know”
Navigating ESY, state complaints, private school myths, and more
The difference between The Academy, the 2-Day, and the Mastermind

The new APP is here! Search Special Education Academy in your app store.

Want more help navigating special education?
Join The Academy for just $97/month:

🎧 Listen, learn, and ask your questions live every week with Karen.

Grab your 50% OFF digital product coupon
Download Wealthy & Well-Known for free → Send us a screenshot →
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
Offer valid June 23–30 only!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Fort Bend ISD Whistleblower Reveals IEP Failures, FERPA Violations & Retaliation

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What would you do if your child’s school ignored the law—and told teachers not to speak to you?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham shares a powerful whistleblower letter from a former general education teacher inside Fort Bend ISD. This teacher came forward to expose what was really happening behind closed doors:

🚫 IEPs not implemented
🚫 Accommodations skipped
🚫 FERPA violations—including sharing unredacted IEPs
🚫 Retaliation against staff who speak up
🚫 Confidential mediation details leaked to campus teams

Karen breaks it all down—what’s legal, what’s not, and what families must know to protect their rights.

This isn’t just one isolated incident. It’s part of a pattern of ongoing non-compliance, denial of services, and systemic retaliation. The district’s actions have triggered multiple filings, including due process hearings, state complaints, and a case now in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

🎯 If you’re a parent, teacher, or advocate—this episode is a must-listen.

🎓 We train everyone at the IEP/504 table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Classroom to Advocacy: Why Alan Driggers Left Teaching to Fight for Families

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What happens when a seasoned special education teacher realizes the system isn't built to support the very students it's supposed to serve?

In this powerful conversation, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with former educator Alan Driggers, who recently left the classroom after 14 years to become a full-time special education advocate. Alan shares what it's really like behind the scenes in public education: the lack of training, inconsistent processes, data collection failures, and systemic barriers that leave both teachers and students in the dark.

You’ll hear:

Why Alan became the 504 coordinator with zero training
What happens when advocates show up—and schools call in their attorneys
Why behavior support programs fail without accountability
The real reason many students never get evaluated under Child Find
What led Alan to finally walk away and join the advocacy movement
How teachers are unintentionally getting it wrong—and how it impacts IEPs

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or advocate, this episode will open your eyes to the cracks in the system—and how one educator decided to do something about it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive
The Academy: 250+ hours of training for anyone who sits at the IEP/504 table
Join the waitlist for the Advocate Mastermind
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Listen. Learn. Lead.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Summer School, Services Denied, and Screaming Goats

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Over 20 questions. One boss. No fluff.
In this high-energy episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham tackles your biggest concerns in a LIVE Q&A format—covering everything from compensatory services and ESY confusion to ABA therapy myths, denied evaluations, and falsified IEP data.

📌 Topics include:

What to do if your child missed speech or reading minutes
Whether uncertified SPED staff are legal (spoiler: they’re not)
How to request testing in the summer
Summer school vs. ESY — what the law actually says
What to do when the school says, “Your child isn’t that bad off”
Who qualifies for IEP vs. 504 and how they’re NOT the same
Tips on paraprofessionals, eligibility, evaluations, and real FAPE violations
Why the Screaming Goat might be your new IEP BFF

💥 Bonus segments:

Behind-the-scenes updates on upcoming Mastermind (starts July 27)
Details on the July 19–20 in-person training in Florida
What’s inside Karen’s app (and how to download it!)
Why she’s headed back to Washington, D.C. for special education policy change

📲 Download the App:
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/special-education-academy/id6746348538
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=vyten.specialed

🎓 Join The Academy:
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube
📧 Got a question? Email advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

💬 As Karen says: “Don’t expect change if you won’t file the complaint.”

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Classroom to Advocacy: Cindy’s Journey from Teacher to Special Education Advocate

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham welcomes Cindy—a former teacher of 27 years, literacy specialist, MTSS leader, and now a full-time special education advocate. What led her to pivot from teaching to advocacy? The answer may sound familiar: burnout, frustration, and an unshakable belief that kids deserve better.

Cindy opens up about the emotional and professional toll of navigating a school system that often prioritizes compliance over support. She shares how parenting a child with autism, advocating within her own district, and witnessing systemic failures led her to leave the classroom. Her turning point? Finding Karen’s TikTok, joining the 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive, and realizing that she could make a real impact outside the system.

Inside this episode:

Why “wait and see” is one of the worst models in special education
How Cindy discovered unmet services buried in her son’s records
The reality of professional development for teachers (spoiler: not helpful)
How The Academy and 2-Day Intensive helped Cindy launch her advocacy business
What it’s like going from educator to IEP table warrior—and how you can too

This is a must-listen for teachers, parents, and anyone wondering if it’s really possible to pivot into advocacy. Spoiler alert: It is.

Resources Mentioned:

Join The Academy
Sign up for the next LIVE 2-Day Special Education Advocacy Intensive
Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

LRE & FAPE: Placement, Predetermination, and the Continuum of Services with Dr. Mitchell Yell

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What’s the difference between FAPE and LRE—and why does it matter so much in IEP placement decisions?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with national expert Dr. Mitchell Yell to unpack two of the most misunderstood elements of the IEP process: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or advocate, this conversation offers a deep dive into how schools are (and aren’t) following federal law—especially when it comes to placement, the continuum of services, and ensuring each child receives an appropriate education in the right setting.

👉 You’ll learn:

The definitions of LRE and FAPE—and how they work together
Why LRE is not a location (and general ed is not always the answer)
What schools get wrong about resource rooms and self-contained classrooms
The difference between “shoehorning” and individualized placement
What predetermination actually looks like in practice—and why it's a problem
Why schools can't eliminate parts of the continuum (like resource rooms!)
How to respond when schools say things like “we don’t offer that here” or “we got rid of resource”

Karen and Dr. Yell also answer dozens of real audience questions—including what to do if your child is being pushed into a program without team discussion, how to handle denials of placement, and why you should always ask for a proper Prior Written Notice.

This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered:

🧠 “Do they really have to offer a continuum of services?”
🧠 “Can a district just say they don’t do resource anymore?”
🧠 “What if my child is placed without trying general ed first?”

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Don’t Overcomplicate It: Testing Requests, Service Denials, and Straight Talk on Advocacy

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Tired of being told “we don’t do that” or “your concern isn’t valid”?
This episode of Special Education Boss® is your reminder: you don’t need permission to advocate for your child.

Karen Mayer Cunningham returns with another fire Ask the Advocate Q&A—answering real questions from parents, teachers, and advocates nationwide. Whether you’re being told you can’t request testing, the IEP “isn’t needed,” or services were “missed but not a big deal”—this episode gives you clarity, confidence, and next steps.

We’re talking:
✅ How to request testing (simple, not stressful)
✅ Data myths that delay evaluations
✅ Predetermination: what it looks like & how to respond
✅ When reevaluations are actually necessary
✅ Speech-only IEPs, ADHD concerns, and service denials
✅ Why missing just one session matters
✅ What “refusal” really means in BIPs and IEPs
✅ Filing state complaints—the right way
✅ Retention, behavior plans, and tracking the right data
✅ Why your voice at the table matters more than ever

🎯 Plus: Upcoming training details for parents, teachers & advocates who are ready to step in and serve—without confusion or second-guessing.

📍 Virtual 2-Day Intensive — June 22–23, 2025
📍 In-Person 2-Day Training (Florida) — July 19–20, 2025
📍 Join The Academy — Weekly trainings, replays, scripts, and tools:

🎙 Listen on YouTube, Buzzsprout, or your favorite podcast platform.
💬 Like, share, comment, and subscribe to help more families get access to clear answers and strong support.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

FAPE for All: Real Talk on IEPs, Comp Ed, and What’s Actually Right

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What’s right, what’s wrong, and what you absolutely need to know about your rights in special education.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back—answering live questions about IEPs, 504s, placement, compensatory services, and so much more. If you’ve ever been told:

“We don’t offer that here…”
“We’re removing resource classes…”
“Your child doesn’t qualify…”
“We’re amending without a meeting…”

…it’s time to sit all the way down and tune in.

Karen unpacks:

Resource vs. inclusion vs. life skills
When to file a state complaint
Why MTSS/RTI cannot delay an evaluation
Compensatory time: how much is due and when to push back
The TRUTH about asynchronous and hybrid service models
What parents can do when the school “doesn’t have” something federally required
The reality of charter schools and IEP implementation
How to advocate when no one else will—and why sometimes you need to be the big mouth in your district

💡 Plus: Karen shares summer training updates you don’t want to miss.

🗓 Upcoming Trainings Mentioned:

✅ Virtual 2-Day Intensive: June 21–22, 2025
✅ In-Person 2-Day Intensive (Florida): Mid-July
✅ Mastermind Launch: July 22, 2025

🎯 Ready to get trained to advocate with confidence and clarity?
Join The Academy

Listen to more episodes on Buzzsprout, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow, like, share, and subscribe—it helps us reach more families who need this info.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 the Continuum of Special Education Services: Myth-Busting LRE, Resource, and More

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Most parents—and far too many educators—don’t fully understand what the “Continuum of Special Education Services” actually means. And that’s a problem.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down one of the most misunderstood components of IDEA: the continuum of placements and how it connects to your child’s right to FAPE in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

From general education with accommodations, to resource classes, self-contained programs, out-of-district placements, and even homebound instruction—Karen walks you through five key “buckets” of service delivery. She shares real talk, practical examples, and the truth about how these options should be considered—not just based on funding or staffing convenience.

Topics include:

Why LRE is not a place—it’s a consideration
How to ensure your child’s IEP goals are being implemented by the right people
What to ask at your next IEP meeting (“Who is the second teacher?”)
What happens when schools say, “We got rid of Resource”?
Understanding your child’s unique circumstances and cognitive profile
When and why out-of-district placement or homebound may be appropriate
The difference between ethical persuasion and pressure in IEP teams
Why the Continuum must be individualized—not one-size-fits-all

If you’ve ever felt pressured by a district to accept a placement that doesn’t feel right—or you’ve been told your child “won’t get a diploma” if they’re in special education—you need this episode.

Join The Academy and get full access to all our trainings, live Q&As, and the most powerful advocacy community around:

Listen on your favorite Podcast Platform we are on all of them or watch the full replay on YouTube.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

How to Get Your Child Fully Tested for Special Education Services

Thu, 29 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Do you know your rights when it comes to getting your child tested for special education?

In this training episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, we walk step-by-step through the entire process of requesting special education testing—starting with how to recognize suspected areas of need, what to include in your written request, and what evaluations you have the right to request under IDEA.

Whether you’re a parent noticing delays or a caregiver unsure of the next step, this episode is a must-listen. Karen breaks down:

✅ What suspected disability means (and why it matters)
✅ Why you don’t need a diagnosis to request testing
✅ The 8 areas of evaluation you should ask for
✅ What timelines schools must follow after your request
✅ What to do if your request is denied
✅ Why putting it in writing changes everything
✅ How to prepare for the Notice & Consent meeting
✅ What happens after testing—504, IEP, or denial

This is the training so many parents say they wish they had years ago.

🛑 Don’t wait. Testing identifies or eliminates. And either way, your child deserves clarity, support, and a plan forward.

📨 Need help? Reach out to advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
📚 Want to go deeper? Join The Academy for full access to all training series:

🎧 Listen to more episodes on your favorite podcast platform
📺 Subscribe on YouTube

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Live Special Education Q&A — Your Most Pressing IEP, 504, and Transition Questions Answered

Tue, 27 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500

n this rapid-fire, real-talk episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham returns for another Ask the Advocate session, answering over 50 real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates across the country. From first IEP meetings to post-secondary transition plans, from AAC devices to due process complaints—you asked, and Karen delivered.

⚠️ Spoiler alert: This one gets spicy (and hilarious). Don’t miss the part where Karen clears up what to do with homework, reveals why she was almost called a grifter, and drops the truth about who really belongs in a 1:1 para situation.

💬 Listener Favorite Moments:

“Can I file a complaint if an IEP evaluation took 24 months?” (Yes.)
“Why do you dislike 1:1 aides in gen ed?” (Karen doesn’t hate them—she wants appropriate placement.)
“What if the school says they can’t provide the data?” (We wait. No data, no decision.)
“My advocate talks to me every day about mental health…” (Hmm. Let’s unpack that.)

📌 Resources + Links Mentioned:

🎓 Join The Academy → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
🎙️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss
📧 Get Help from an Advocate → advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
🎟️ 2-Day Advocacy Intensive (Live + In-Person!) → https://advocate.specialeducationacademy.com/in-person-intensive/

*The press conference can be found on our YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/rckw4XBqRp8

📅 New episodes every Tuesday!
Subscribe for more IEP help, IDEA breakdowns, parent empowerment, and behind-the-scenes commentary that will leave you informed, laughing, and ready to sit at the table prepared.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Denied. Retaliated. Silenced. — A Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired Speaks Out

Mon, 26 May 2025 20:00:00 -0500

WATCH HERE! https://youtu.be/OGw4WtH3KMM

What happens when a certified teacher of the visually impaired (TVI) demands that blind students receive the services they're legally entitled to? In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Angela Tucker, a veteran special educator and ACTVI in Texas, who shares her personal story of standing up—and being shut down.

Angela was hired to serve students with visual impairments in Bryan ISD. But when she raised concerns about the lack of braille materials, denied access to adapted content, and violations of IDEA and FAPE, she was met with silence, retaliation, and eventually a non-renewal notice.

🎧 In this episode:

The shocking truth about what blind students were not receiving
Why “access” is not optional—it’s the law
What retaliation looks like for educators who speak up
The critical role of a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)
How parents can find out if their child is actually receiving FAPE
What districts don’t want you to know—and how to file a state complaint

This is not just one teacher’s story. It’s a mirror of what’s happening across districts when leadership fails students with low-incidence disabilities.

📣 We’re calling for action. A press conference is planned for June.

If you’ve been impacted or want to take the next step:

📧 Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Amazing Things for Individuals with Disabilities

Thu, 22 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Movement Is Medicine: How Fitness Builds Longevity, Choice, and Confidence for Individuals with Disabilities
Part 2 with Mike Lutey, Special Strong Franchise Owner

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Special Education Boss® Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down again with Mike Lutey, franchise owner of Special Strong Houston, to go even deeper into the life-changing impact of adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities.

This episode covers why movement matters, especially for students and young adults with cognitive, emotional, or physical challenges—and how fitness, socialization, and voice-access tools like AAC devices contribute to longer, more empowered lives.

Mike shares how Special Strong is helping families create healthier, more connected futures—one workout at a time.

About Special Strong
Special Strong provides adaptive and inclusive fitness training to individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive disabilities. Their services include:

One-on-one personal training
Inclusive group fitness classes
Adaptive programs for post-therapy recovery and adult wellness

Their programs support individuals with autism, Down syndrome, CP, traumatic brain injury, and more—with locations across Southeast and North/Northwest Houston.

🔗 Learn more: https://www.specialstrong.com

🎧 Subscribe + Listen Weekly

🎓 Join The Academy → https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about
📺 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss
🧾 Register for the 2-Day Virtual Training →https://academy.specialeducationacademy.com/register/vs-pif/

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Gym Class to Game Changer: How Adaptive Fitness Empowers Young Adults with Disabilities with Mike Lutey, Franchise Owner – Special Strong Houston

Tue, 20 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Part 1 of 2

This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham sits down with Mike Lutey, franchise owner of Special Strong Southeast & Northwest Houston, to talk about the power of adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities—and how the right workout can change everything.

Mike shares his personal journey, inspired by his sister with Down syndrome and his mom’s advocacy work in Montana, to becoming the very first Special Strong franchisee. What started as a LinkedIn message became a mission to serve others through fitness, inclusion, and community-building.

From one-on-one personal training to group classes that build social confidence and structure, Special Strong is filling the gap that so many parents face after graduation: What’s next?

💪 Whether your child has autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or other cognitive, emotional, or physical challenges, Special Strong is meeting individuals where they are—and building strength from the inside out.

Special Strong offers adaptive and inclusive fitness training for individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive disabilities. They specialize in post-therapy fitness, group classes, and customized coaching for those with autism, Down syndrome, CP, traumatic brain injury, and more. With franchise locations growing nationwide, they’re on a mission to make fitness accessible to everyone.

📍 Locations:
– Southeast Houston (League City, Friendswood, etc.)
– North/Northwest Houston (Spring, Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress)

🔗 Learn more: https://www.specialstrong.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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: Mayhem, Misconceptions, and Must-Know Answers

Thu, 15 May 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to another power-packed episode of Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham — and welcome to the Month of Mayhem! From bathtub to beach to balcony, wherever you're tuning in, Karen is here with clarity, conviction, and the kind of answers that cut through confusion at the IEP and 504 table.

In this episode, Karen tackles real-time questions from parents, educators, and advocates including:

What paraprofessionals can and cannot do under IDEA
How to get autism added as an eligibility
What makes a “real” IEP goal (spoiler: “slow down and read carefully” isn’t one)
Whether general education teachers can scribe for a student with an IEP
The truth about moving students from an IEP to a 504 — and how to stop it
And how to respond if your child’s para is mocking or mistreating them 👀

She also dives deep into eligibility, evaluations, discipline, independent educational evaluations (IEEs), compensatory services, and due process — all through the lens of empowering YOU with what you need to sit at the table prepared.

💡 Plus: Karen breaks down why she doesn’t do what she does on the side — and why you shouldn’t trust your child’s education to someone who does.

🎧 Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or an advocate, this episode is full of hard truths, big laughs, and high-impact strategies.

👇 JOIN THE ACADEMY:
Weekly live trainings. 250+ hours of on-demand content. Direct access to Karen every Monday night.
https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Lion King Backpacks to Federal Reform: Karen’s Founding Story on Founders Future

Tue, 13 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this special episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham, CEO and founder of Special Education Academy, sits down with the Founders Future podcast to share the powerful story behind her life's work—advocating for students with disabilities. From her personal journey navigating the special education system as a parent to building one of the most recognizable training and advocacy platforms in the country, Karen offers raw insight, unfiltered truth, and an undeniable passion for reform.

She discusses the challenges families face, the flaws within the system, and her mission to ensure every child gets access to the education and equity they deserve. You’ll hear how she scaled from individual advocacy to global impact, why she believes there’s no such thing as work-life balance, and what’s ahead for Special Education Academy.

This conversation is a must-listen for educators, parents, advocates, and founders alike.

If you’ve ever wondered how one voice can become a movement, this conversation is it.

🎧 Originally aired on Founders Future by Close.io
🔗 Learn more: https://www.SpecialEducationAcademy.com
🎙️ Host: Elliot Boll

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Drama, Pre-K Confusion, and the Truth About 504 Plans

Thu, 08 May 2025 20:00:00 -0500

This week on Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back behind the mic—and not holding back. From surprise IEP changes to last-minute general ed placements, Karen shares exactly what to do when your child’s services suddenly shift, your 504 isn’t enough, or you're navigating retention, testing, accommodations, and more.

💥 Plus, Karen answers:

What rights do you actually get with a 504?
Can a substitute really deliver IEP services?
Why does your child suddenly not need special ed next year?
When should you file a state or federal complaint?
Can a teacher just copy/paste the old IEP goals?

💡 Spoiler: the answer is always in the data.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or advocate, you’ll walk away better equipped to stand your ground—and serve students with confidence.

🧠 Want more weekly training?
Join The Academy and get live Monday night sessions + 250+ hours of recorded training.
👉 www.specialeducationacademy.com

🎧 Subscribe. Share. Show up. Because when we get it right for the child—we get it right for everybody.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

From Surviving to Living: A Special Conversation with Jennifer Swan

Tue, 06 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this heartfelt and unforgettable episode, Karen Mayer Cunningham is joined by Jennifer Swan—a constitutional lawyer, caregiver, and speaker who shares her extraordinary journey raising her daughter Kennedy, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

More than just a story of survival, this is a message of radical perspective, courage, and joy in the face of lifelong medical challenges. Jennifer shows us how to shift from feeling trapped by our circumstances to choosing a life worth living—for ourselves and our children.

🌟 QUOTE WORTH REMEMBERING:

“If you're willing to shift your perspective about the circumstance in your life, I promise it will open doors you thought were locked shut.” —Jennifer Swan

📲 Connect with Jennifer:
IG + TikTok: @diagnosis_magical
Interested in coaching or her curriculum? DM her to learn more about:
• Living Proof: Limits Are an Illusion (for special needs caregivers)
• Engage Your Inner Counsel (for individuals being called to more)

💥 This is more than a story—it’s a roadmap for anyone navigating complex needs, grief, or feeling stuck in the “waiting room” of life. Jennifer reminds us: “The circumstance isn’t a cage—it’s a portal.”

🧠 Need representation or help navigating your IEP meeting?
Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

✅ Subscribe to our channel for weekly episodes, trainings, and real answers:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@SpecialEducationBoss

🎧 Prefer audio? Catch this episode on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search: Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

👩‍🏫 Want to train as an advocate? Join our next Two-Day Intensive:
https://www.specialeducationacademy.com/training

👣 Want more trainings, resources, and advocacy support? Join The Academy:
🔗 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 IEP Questions, Answered!

Thu, 01 May 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen dives into a rapid-fire Q&A answering the real questions families and teachers are facing right now—from placement and eligibility to SDI, IEPs, 504 plans, behavior, executive functioning, transition, and more.

If you've ever left an IEP meeting feeling confused, overwhelmed, or ready to throw a chair (Karen’s words, not ours), this episode is for you.

🎯 Here’s what Karen covers:

Can a child have a 504 and an IEP at the same time?
Why executive functioning isn’t a class—and what really works
What ESY is (and isn’t), and when it applies
Can a para deliver specially designed instruction?
Why goals must be based on need, not just placement
What happens when the school won’t follow LRE?
How to prepare for transition services (hint: start sooner than you think)
Karen’s origin story and why she’ll always fight for your kid

📣 Be sure to: 👉 Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen
👉 Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/918iqLJtGb8
👉 Join The Academy for 300+ hours of training + live weekly support: https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Mastering Specially Designed Instruction and Progress Monitoring with Dr. Mitchell Yell

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

In this powerful episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is joined by Dr. Mitchell Yell—renowned special education expert, author, and hearing officer—to unpack the heart of what makes an IEP truly effective.

Together, they dive into:

The definition of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI)
Why software and canned goals aren't enough
How to craft measurable, meaningful IEP goals
The critical difference between procedural and substantive violations
What happens when schools fail to monitor student progress
How parents and advocates can hold schools accountable without escalating unnecessarily

Dr. Yell shares practical advice for school-based staff, advocates, and parents alike, plus reveals key insights about the Supreme Court case A.C. v. Osseo Area Schools and why it matters to special education nationwide.

✨ Whether you're a parent, advocate, teacher, or admin, this conversation will leave you better equipped—and more empowered—to support students with disabilities.

📚 Links and Resources Mentioned:

Progress Center: https://promotingprogress.org/
Intervention Central: https://www.interventioncentral.org/
National Center on Intensive Intervention: https://intensiveintervention.org/
Oyez (to listen to SCOTUS oral arguments): https://www.oyez.org/
SCOTUS Blog: https://www.scotusblog.com/

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

How to Write Compliant IEP Goals That Actually Help Kids Thrive

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Do you know what really makes an IEP goal compliant, effective, and life-changing for students?

In this training-style episode, Karen breaks down:

The 6 types of IEP goals (spoiler: academics are just ONE type)
Why present levels matter more than you think
The truth about SMART goals (and what most teams are getting wrong)
What to say when someone tells you a student “doesn’t qualify because they’re getting A’s and B’s”
How to base goals on expectation and rate of progress—not generic standards

This episode is a must-listen for any parent, teacher, or advocate who wants to ensure students get the supports and services they deserve.

📚 Get our SMART Goals Template and Reading Conversion Chart:
https://specialeducationacademy.com

📥 Advocate with us or ask questions:
advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-education-boss-with-karen-mayer-cunningham/id1805933912
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/03I43tikXlYvR6xIe3F24w
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI3YgeQrpe51K4Ia4GWqS3fTnGj_DGLan

🛒 Shop Karen’s Advocate Bookshelf (Amazon):
https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
We may earn a small commission from purchases. Thank you for your support!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Know Your Rights: The Truth About Procedural Safeguards in Special Education

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

Do you know your rights—or are you just hoping the school will tell you the truth?

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham dives deep into the procedural safeguards that every parent, guardian, and educator needs to understand. From child find and prior written notice to the myths surrounding 504s and referrals, Karen exposes how misinformation, manipulation, and policy “spin” are keeping families in the dark.

🚨 You don’t need to be a lawyer to understand your legal protections—but you do need to stop depending on someone who’s never read the law.

What you’ll learn:

✅ What “procedural safeguards” really are and why they matter
✅ When you MUST receive them—and why a signature isn’t understanding
✅ How schools twist language, deny testing, and delay services
✅ What IDEA’s Child Find provision guarantees—and how to use it
✅ Why 60% of an IEP is never enough
✅ How to spot manipulation in meetings (including referral “stall” tactics)
✅ What to say when you’re told “this is just policy”
✅ How to demand testing—without begging or proving your case
✅ The power of knowing your rights before walking into the meeting

Plus, Karen shares one of the most absurd school responses she’s seen in a referral meeting—and how she shut it down with grace, fire, and a whole lot of federal law. 🔥

🎧 Whether you’re brand new to advocacy or deep in the trenches, this episode will empower you with real knowledge, practical tools, and a Karen-style dose of confidence to enforce and invoke what your child is legally entitled to.

📥 Want the Reading Conversion Chart Karen mentioned in this episode?
Email: advocate@specialeducationacademy and we’ll send it your way!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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 Chaos, Charter School Myths & Advocate Q&A

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham is back with answers, attitude, and all the legal clarity you need to navigate the wild world of special education.

She tackles it all:
✅ The legality of removing non-verbal students without parent notification
✅ Why dual-certified teachers can’t wear two hats at an IEP meeting
✅ Whether charter schools are really doing right by students with disabilities (spoiler: they're not)
✅ What data actually drives Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) decisions
✅ How to use IDEA law to stand your ground — and when to file that state complaint
✅ The problem with “collaboration” minutes and mystery staff in the classroom
✅ What to say when someone throws “House Bill 4545” at you like it’s a solution
…and more.

This episode is equal parts fire and facts. If you’re in the trenches — whether you’re a parent, teacher, advocate, or school-based member — you don’t want to miss this one.

📚 Resources Mentioned:
→ SpecialEducationAcademy.com
→ Email us: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com
→ Want the book Karen referenced? Grab the Advocate’s Bookshelf

🎧 Available wherever you listen to podcasts
📌 Subscribe, rate, and share — because when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

The 5 Pillars of an Amazing IEP

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Welcome back to Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham, where we train everyone who sits at the 504 and IEP table to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.

In this episode, Karen breaks down the five foundational pillars of a powerful IEP, equipping parents, educators, and advocates with the tools to understand what belongs in the IEP — and what doesn’t.

📚 From decoding the legal language to understanding how to actually implement supports that move the needle, Karen walks you through:

The #1 question every parent must ask before writing an IEP.
What to include in the initial evaluation request — and what most schools leave out.
Why speech and language to include pragmatics is a non-negotiable in your testing.
The three Ps of quality evaluations (Pristine, Prescriptive, and Puffy!).
The eight areas of testing you should always request.
The difference between academic performance and educational need.
What Present Levels should really look like (hint: not a copy-paste of the last report card).
How to write goals that are appropriately ambitious in light of the child’s unique circumstances.
Why most accommodation pages are a mess (and how to fix them).
What “least restrictive environment” is not — and why general ed is not always the answer.
Why para support alone does not equal special education.
The truth about FAPE and what it actually means for your child.

Karen also shares:

✔️ When to revisit your IEP mid-year (especially before transitions)

✔️ How to hold the team accountable to timelines and testing obligations

✔️ How to use your voice, your data, and your knowledge to drive outcomes — not emotion

Whether you're new to the process or you've been in it for years, this episode will give you the roadmap to step confidently into your next meeting — and walk out with clarity, not confusion.

🗣️ Karen says it best:
"We're not trying to make the disability disappear — we're teaching strategies to self-manage it."

👉 Subscribe to the Special Education Boss® podcast so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday!

🙋‍♀️ Need more support?
Join The Academy — your go-to resource for training and weekly coaching: SpecialEducationAcademy.com

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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, Real Advocacy

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

What do you do when your child is suspended?

Denied services?

Or placed in the wrong setting with no say?

In this open Q&A-style episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham answers your most pressing questions—live and unfiltered.

🎯 Inside this episode:

Can a child stay in general ed if they aren’t accessing grade-level curriculum?
Should the school provide an advocate if the parent asks?
What happens if a charter school refuses special ed services?
What if you're being read "school norms" before the meeting even starts?
The truth about ESY, MDR, para support, toileting, behavior, and more

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, para, or full-time advocate—this episode will hit home.

This one’s full of wisdom, wild stories, legal truth bombs, and just enough sass to keep you laughing while learning.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform—Spotify, Apple, Amazon, iHeart, and more.

New episodes drop every Tuesday & Thursday!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...

Mutually Agreed Upon Time

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0500

Have you ever been told the IEP meeting is already scheduled and you just need to show up? Or that your school onlyholds IEP meetings on Fridays at 10:47?

🚨 Not so fast.

In this episode of Special Education Boss®, Karen Mayer Cunningham breaks down what the law says about scheduling IEP meetings. Hint: It must be a mutually agreed upon time—not dictated by the district, principal, or parent alone.

Karen also tackles:

The legal obligation for schools to notify all legal parents or guardians (even if they’re divorced or across the world 🌍)
What “meaningful participation” really means—and why denying flexible scheduling violates it
Practical scripts and steps to advocate for your rights when scheduling is a struggle

Whether you’re a parent, advocate, or educator, this episode gives you clarity and confidence when that IEP invite hits your inbox.

📝 Need support? Join The Academy for weekly training, replays, and a full library of special education resources:
👉 https://www.skool.com/special-education-academy/about

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 Browse now: https://amzn.to/3RiQPLl
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What You Don’t Know Will Cost Your Child: Restraints, Paras, and Filing Complaints

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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 weekly calls, tools, templates & community:
SpecialEducationAcademy.com

📱 Follow @SpecialEducationBoss On TikTok, YouTube & every major platform for daily content & live Q&A.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

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Because when...

You Can’t Make This Up: Real Questions, Real Answers

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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

🎥 Watch on YouTube:
Special Education Academy YouTube Channel

Remember, when we get it right for the child, we get it right for everyone!

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0500

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
Two-Day Intensive Training: Details & Registration
Need help? Email us at advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

🧠 Key Terms Discussed

IEP vs. 504
Prior Written Notice (PWN)
FAPE & IDEA
Manifestation Determination
LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
OHI and SLD Eligibility
Compensatory Education
OCR Complaints
Special Education Law (34 CFR §300)

📬 Want Your Question Answered on a Future Episode?
Send your question to: advocate@specialeducationacademy.com

Or message us on Facebook or Instagram @SpecialEducationBoss

💬 Join the Conversation

Follow Karen for weekly livestreams, special guest trainings, and community support:

Instagram: @specialeducationboss
TikTok: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

⚖️ Disclaimer

The content in this podcast is educational and informational and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with a qualified advocate or attorney in your state for guidance on your specific situation.

Support the show

✨ When we get it right for the child, we get it right for everybody. ✨

📱 Follow Karen on:

TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
YouTube: Special Education Academy

📚 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...