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. ✨

👩‍⚖️ Hosted by Karen Mayer Cunningham, Advocate & Special Education Boss®
Each week, Karen shares real stories, legal insights, and no-nonsense strategies to help you navigate special education with clarity and confidence.

👉 Subscribe & never miss an episode — new episodes drop every week!
🎓 Join The Academy: Weekly live trainings + 250+ hours of advocacy tools & expert resources
🔗 Learn more at The Epic IEP™ Academy First month free, after that, cancel anytime.

📱 Follow Karen on:

• TikTok & Instagram: @specialeducationboss
• YouTube: Special Education Academy

🧠 Want to level up your advocacy game?
Check out the Advocate's Bookshelf — a curated collection of must-have tools, guides, and legal references every special education advocate should own. From federal code to diagnostic manuals, these are the essentials that help you advocate with clarity and confidence.

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(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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