Special Education Boss® with Karen Mayer Cunningham

OCR Complaints Part 3: Mediation, Rebuttal, and Resolution Explained


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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

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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:

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

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