Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

FAPE for All: Real Talk on IEPs, Comp Ed, and What’s Actually Right


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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 

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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.

👉 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 Academy

📬 Have a question? Email us at [email protected]

📱 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.

📚 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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Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer CunninghamBy Karen Mayer Cunningham, Special Education boss®

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